JPS5878296A - Meter sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a meter sensor, and particularly to a meter sensor for automatically reading the amount of water, gas, electricity, etc. used via a communication line.

For water and gas, in order to automatically read the amount of electricity, etc. used by each user via a communication line from a meter reading center, a meter is equipped with a signal generator that sends out an electrical signal indicating the flow rate, and from that meter. A meter sensor has been developed that generates an electrical signal indicating the integrated flow rate from the received electrical signal and sends the electrical signal indicating the integrated flow rate to a communication line in response to a call signal from a meter reading center. Ru. At the meter reading center, the integrated flow rate for each user can be detected by electrical signals sent from each meter sensor, and therefore the amount of water used in a predetermined period can be known.

The signal generator of the meter uses a magnetic sensor element to detect the rotation speed of a magnet attached to a rotating body that rotates at a speed proportional to the flow rate per unit time, and generates a pulse signal with a pulse number proportional to the flow rate. The meter sensor that receives this pulse signal generates a digital signal indicating the integrated flow rate by counting the number of pulses, and sends this to the meter to display the integrated flow value. In response to a call signal from the station, a digital signal indicating the integrated flow rate is sent out to all communication lines.

The conventional meter sensor described above operates as a terminal device for automatic meter reading by transmitting a flow rate integration signal when called from a meter reading center via a communication line. When a large number of users are housed in one building, such as an apartment complex or a shared-use building, a meter is installed for each user, and each meter is automatically read from a meter reading center using a fixed meter sensor. When reading meters, ``Since it is uneconomical to connect a communication line to each meter sensor individually from the meter reading center, an additional device is installed between the communication line and multiple meter sensors to increase the number of meters used. are connected.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a case where a plurality of meter sensors are connected to one communication line via the above-mentioned additional device. The meter sensor 1 counts the pulse signals sent from the meter 2 and generates a digital signal indicating the accumulated flow rate, and when it receives a call signal from the additional device ff13, generates a digital signal indicating the accumulated flow rate. It is sent to the additional device 3. The additional device 3 receives the command signal sent from the meter reading center via the communication line, sends a call signal to one of the plurality of connected meter sensors 1 specified by the command signal, and calls the meter sensor 1. A digital signal indicating the integrated flow rate is sent from 1 to the meter reading center via all communication lines.

When a plurality of conventional meter sensors are connected to one communication line, it is necessary to separately provide means for selecting a desired meter sensor and transmitting and receiving signals, like the additional device 3 in the above explanation. This not only occupies extra installation space, but also requires a large amount of man-hours for installation and testing when additional equipment is installed in addition to the existing meter sensor. There is a problem that -*.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and even when a plurality of meter sensors are connected to one communication line, it is possible to achieve desired results without requiring any extra equipment and by adding a circuit with a small number of parts. An object of the present invention is to provide a meter sensor society that can select a meter sensor and send and receive signals.

The meter sensor of the present invention includes an integrating means that receives a pulse signal indicating a flow rate measurement value given from a meter, counts the pulse signal, and sends an integrated signal indicating an integrated flow value, and a predetermined predetermined value including at least the integrated signal. One of the signal groups
a signal generating means for transmitting a response signal including a response signal; a switching means having at least one terminal for connecting an external meter sensor and selecting one of the terminals to switch the connection; input/output means for generating a control signal in response to a given operation request signal and transmitting a response signal sent from the signal generating means and the terminal to the external device, the terminal of each of the switching means; at most one external meter sensor is connected to the input/output means for transmitting the response signal to the input/output means when the control signal requests the transmission of the response signal from the signal generating means; requests switching of the connection of any one of the external meter sensors, the connection between the external meter sensor and the input/output means is switched by switching the connection of the terminal of the switching means, and the external meter sensor is switched. While connected, the input signal is transferred to the external meter sensor, and the response signal from the meter sensor is sent to the input/output means.

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The counter 4 of the meter sensor 1 receives a flow rate signal from the meter 2 with a number of pulses proportional to the flow rate, and by counting the pulses, generates an integrated signal of parallel pulses indicating the integrated value of the flow rate, and sends the signal to the message assembly circuit. Send to 5. Command signals and activation signals are sent from the communication line via the input/output terminal 9t. The command signal consists of serial pulses of a predetermined format, and is used to transmit a telegram signal including the integrated signal of the meter sensor 1, connect or disconnect the relay end 10 or 11, and connect or disconnect the relay end 10 or 11 to the meter connected to the relay end 10 or 11. It includes a code requesting transmission of one of the telegram signals including the sensor integration signal. The command signal and activation signal sent from the input/output terminal 9 are sent to the control circuit 7 through the input/output circuit 6t-. The input/output circuit 6 includes a switch circuit that connects a command signal and a start signal to a control circuit 7 when a command signal and a start signal are sent from a current input terminal 9, and a switch circuit that connects them to a control circuit 7 when a message signal is sent from a message assembly circuit 5 or a switching circuit 8. It is equipped with a switch circuit and wire to connect them to the output terminal 9.

When a command signal is sent from the input/output circuit 6 requesting the transmission of a telegram signal including the integration signal of the meter sensor 1, the control circuit 7 generates all selection signals indicating transmission of the integration signal.
In addition, in response to the start signal sent along with the command signal, all control signals for controlling the sending of the message signal are generated, and the selection signal and the control signal are paralleled to the message assembly circuit 5.
Send to. When a command signal requesting all connections to the relay end 10 (or 11) is sent, the control circuit 7 generates a selection signal indicating connection to the relay end 10 (or 11) and switches this. While sending to circuit 8, vertical end 1
A selection signal indicating the start of connection to 0 or 11 and a control signal for sending a corresponding message signal are sent to the message assembly circuit 5. Furthermore, when a command signal is sent to disconnect the connection to the relay end 10 (or 11), the control circuit 7
sends a selection signal to the full switching circuit 8 which disconnects the connection to the relay terminal 10 (or 11). The control circuit 7 transmits a selection signal indicating the connection of the relay terminal 10 (or 11) to the switching circuit 8 until it sends a selection signal to disconnect the relay terminal 10 (or 11). The command signal and activation signal sent from the output circuit 6 frame ≧ are sent to the switching 4 circuit 8 in parallel with the selection signal, and in the meantime, a message indicating the start of I connection to the relay terminal 10 or 11 is sent. After sending out the ninth control signal tone, sending out the control signal to the message assembly circuit 5 is stopped. The switching circuit 8 performs control from the time it receives the selection signal indicating the connection of the relay terminal 10 (t or 11) to the time it receives the selection signal to disconnect the connection to the relay terminal IO (or 11). A switch circuit is provided that connects the command signal and activation signal sent from the circuit 7 to the relay terminal 10 (t or 11). Relay ends 10 and 11Vc
Each external meter sensor is connected to each other, and when one of the meter sensors is connected by the switching circuit 8 and receives a command signal and a start signal requesting transmission of a telegram signal including the integrated signal, ``that meter The telegram signal containing the integrated signal of the sensor is sent to the input/output circuit 6 through the switching circuit 8, and further sent to the communication line via the input/output terminal 9. On the other hand, when the message assembly circuit 5 receives the selection signal indicating the transmission of the integration signal from the meter sensor 1 and the control signal for sending the message signal, the message assembly circuit 5 converts the integration signal sent from the counter 4 in response to these signals. A telegram signal in a predetermined format is generated and sent to the input/output circuit 6. When the message assembly circuit 5 receives a selection signal indicating the start of connection to the relay end 10 or 11 and a control signal for transmitting the message signal, the message assembly circuit 5 receives a predetermined signal including a signal indicating the start of connection to the relay end in response to these signals. The former generates a telegram signal and sends it to the input/output circuit 6. The message signals sent from the message assembly circuit 5 to the input/output circuit 6 are all sent from the input/output terminal 9 to the meter reading center via the communication line.

No. 3 and 4 are a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control circuit 7 in the meter sensor 1 of FIG. 1, and a time chart illustrating its operation, respectively. The signal alti sent from the input/output circuit 6, the command signal DI,
D2. It includes D3 and D4 and a pulse activation signal that rises after them, and the signal separation circuit 1 of the control circuit 7
2 and the switch circuit 20. The signal separation circuit 20 separates the command signal and activation signal included in the signal a, converts the serial pulse command signal into parallel pulses, sends them to the decoder circuit 13, and sends the activation signal to the inhibition gate 14.
is applied to one input terminal of the . When the received parallel command signals (corresponding to command signals DI and D3) request transmission of a telegram signal including an integrated signal, the decoder circuit 13 generates a pulse with a predetermined time width to the signal. let me,
Further, a pulse is generated in the signal f (or N) which rises when a connection or disconnection request is made to the relay terminal 10 (or 11) in FIG. 2 and falls when a disconnection request is made. Signals f, '7° and i are logical sum game) 19f: This becomes a logical sum signal, and is sent to the switch circuit 20, and is connected to the signal af only while the pulse is rising 2, and is sent out as the signal g. It is applied to one input terminal of the OR gate 22 and the leading edge detection circuit 21.

The leading edge detection circuit 21 rises at the rising edge of the pulse of the received signal and generates a pulse having a predetermined time width, and outputs it as a signal C to the other input terminal of the exclusive OR gate 22. send to The signal sent from the exclusive OR gate 22 to the inhibition gate 14 has a high level (hereinafter referred to as H).
(abbreviated as )noto! ' prohibits the activation signal sent from the signal separation circuit 12 from being sent to the leading edge detection circuit 15, and when it is at a low level (abbreviated below), the activation signal is sent to the leading edge detection circuit 15. Allow me to send it. When a rising edge of a pulse appears in the activation signal sent from the inhibit gate 14, the leading edge detection circuit 15 generates a pulse having a predetermined time width that rises at the rising edge of the pulse of the activation signal, and outputs a pulse from the flip-flop 16tl-. Set and cause a pulse to rise on the signal d.

When a pulse rises on the signal d, the oscillation circuit 17 starts generating a clock signal with a predetermined period and sends this as the signal C to the counter 18. The counter 18 counts the clock signals, and when a predetermined number m is reached, generates a pulse to reset the flop 16. When the flop 16 is reset and the pulse of the signal d falls, The oscillation circuit 17 stops generating the black and red signals, and the pulse of the signal dt - the inverted signal rises and the counter 1
Reset the count value of 8 to zero. During this period, a predetermined number m of clock signals appear on the signal e. Among the signals generated by the control circuit 7 upon receiving the signal af, the signals S and C are sent in parallel as selection signals and the signals C and h as control signals to the message assembly circuit 5, and the signal f
and breath are sent in parallel to the switching circuit 8 together with a signal g including a command signal and an activation signal as a selection signal.

In Figure 1, to avoid cluttering the drawing and making it hard to see, we have placed multiple signals in parallel in one place.
It is indicated by the main signal line. The switching circuit 8 receives the signal f(
Alternatively, only while 1) is H, the signal gt-relay terminal 10
(or 11') and connect it to the relay end 10 (or 11').
1) Signal gt? to the meter sensor connected to ? It is connected to the input/output circuit 6 through the serial telegram signal sent from the relay terminal 10 (or 11).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the message assembly circuit 5 in the meter sensor 1 of FIG. 1.

In the message assembly circuit 5, the integration signal sent from the counter 4 and the additional signal sent from the signal generation circuit 25 are applied in parallel to the gate circuit 24 so as to constitute a message signal of a predetermined format. Further, a parallel telegram signal of a predetermined format, which is sent from the signal generation circuit 25 and indicates the start of the relay end connection, is applied to the gate circuit 23.

Gate circuits 24 and 23 receive selection signals, ie, signals S and cf, respectively from control circuit 7, and output signal b(
Or when C) becomes H, the gate circuit 24 (or 2
3) The parallel telegram signal being applied is connected to and applied to the parallel-to-serial conversion circuit 26. The parallel-serial conversion circuit 26 is
Receives control signals, i.e., signal e, and et- from the control circuit 7, reads the parallel telegram signal when the pulse of the signal falls, and converts the parallel telegram signal into a serial telegram signal in response to the clock signal of signal e. and sequentially sends it to the input/output circuit 6. The number of black and white signals of the signal e, the number of digital signals mu, and the length and number of bits of a telegram signal in a predetermined format.

Note that in the signal a shown in FIG. 4, when the command signal D3 indicating a request to send a message signal including an integration signal appears after the command signal D2 indicating a request for relay end connection, the command signal D3 indicating a request for sending a message signal including an integration signal appears, Since the start signal of the pulse rise signal is inhibited by the inhibit gate 14 in the circuit of FIG. represents sending a telegram signal.

As explained in detail above, the meter sensor 1 shown in FIG.
In response to the finger cooling signal and activation signal sent from the communication line, a telegram signal containing the integration signal generated in the meter sensor l is sent, or one of the relay terminals lO and 11 is connected to the pipe communication line. Then, it is possible to relay and send out a telegram signal containing the integrated signal of the meter sensor connected to the relay end. Although the meter sensor 1 in FIG. 2 has two relay ends 10 and 11t, it is clear that the number of relay ends may be one or three or more.

As is clear from the above explanation, the present invention allows a desired meter sensor to be connected to a single communication line without requiring any additional equipment or significantly increasing the scale. This has the effect of realizing a meter sensor that can selectively send and receive signals.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a case where a plurality of conventional meter sensors are connected to one communication line; FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 are block diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention; The figure is a time chart illustrating the operation of the circuit of FIG. 3. 1...Meter sensor, 2...Meter,
4... Counter, 5... Telegram assembly circuit, 6... Input/output circuit, 7... Control circuit, 8... Switching circuit. , 9...people's departure
−〇 8 poems + 615 figures

Claims (1)

[Claims] an integrating means that receives a pulse signal indicating a flow rate measurement value given from a meter, counts the pulse signal, and sends out an integrated signal indicating an integrated flow value; a signal generating means for transmitting a response signal including one of the following; a switching means having at least one terminal for connecting an external meter sensor and selecting any one of the terminals to switch the connection; input/output means for generating a control signal in response to an operation request signal given from the device and transmitting a response signal sent from the signal generating means and the terminal to the external device; At most one external meter sensor is connected to the terminal, and when the control signal requests sending of the reply signal from the signal generating means, the reply signal is sent to the input/output means, and the control signal is sent to the input/output means. When the signal requests switching of the connection of any one of the external meter sensors, the connection between the external meter sensor and the input/output means is switched by switching the connection of the terminal of the switching means. A meter sensor, wherein the input signal is transferred to the external meter sensor while the external meter sensor is connected, and a response signal from the meter sensor is sent to the input/output means.