JPS61262298A - Gas cylinder distribution detecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and correctly detect the replacement time of a gas cylinder by automatically transmitting the pulse signals proportional to the quantity of use of gas in the gas cylinder from user's side through utilizing a conventional telephone line and integration-memorizing said pulse signals at a center. CONSTITUTION:When the gas in a gas cylinder is used, the quantity of use is metered by a gas meter 1. Then, the metering pulse signals are sent from a metering pulse signal generating circuit 4 into the signal judging circuit 8 of a transmitter built-in type telephone 7. When a signal is supplied into the signal judging circuit 8, said signal is transmitted to a center 21 through a telephone line 20 according to the priority order. A signal processing apparatus 24 integration-calculates the metering pulse signals in succession and the integration-calculation value is memorized into a memory apparatus 25.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to gas cylinders, for example, L
The present invention relates to a system for efficiently supplying and distributing P gas cylinders, and can particularly be used to automatically detect when cylinders should be replaced.

[Background technology and its problems] Conventionally, when switching or replacing LP gas cylinders used in each household, etc., the amount of gas used in the gas cylinder is estimated in advance, the remaining amount is estimated, and this remaining amount is calculated. It is based on quantity. Various automatic meter reading systems for this purpose have also been proposed.

However, in automatic meter reading systems, it is necessary to know when to replace gas from the cumulative value of gas usage.
It is necessary to periodically read the cumulative value of each household from the cylinder distribution center side.

In addition, when reading the integrated value, lines, etc. are kept online for a certain period of time, so when checking usage over a large number of lines, an increase in the number of lines and an increase in cost cannot be avoided.

[Object of the Invention] It is an object of the present invention to solve these conventional problems, and to make it possible to easily and accurately determine when to replace a gas cylinder, and to avoid an increase in costs. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a gas cylinder supply/distribution detection system.

[Means and actions to solve the problem] Therefore,
The present invention is a system that automatically detects at a center when it is time to replace a gas cylinder used by a gas user. a metering pulse signal generation circuit that generates a metering pulse signal, a switching signal generation circuit that generates a switching signal in connection with the switching operation of a valve switching device that automatically switches gas cylinders, and a switching signal from this switching signal generation circuit. and a function of transmitting the signal to the center through the telephone line after enabling communication with the center via the telephone line when at least one of the weighing pulse signals from the weighing pulse signal generation circuit is given. , and a signal processing device for processing the metering pulse signal from the metering pulse signal generating circuit and the switching signal from the switching signal generating circuit on the center side. .

[Example] The figure shows an example of the present invention. In the same figure, 1
For example, 2 is a gas meter that automatically measures the amount of gas used in an LP gas cylinder used in each household, and 2 is a gas meter that measures the gas supply piping flow when the gas pressure in the gas cylinder currently in use drops to a predetermined value. A valve switching device 3 automatically switches the line to a spare gas cylinder, and 3 is a gas leak detection circuit breaker that detects gas leaks in the system from the gas cylinder etc. to gas-using equipment and closes the shutoff valve.

The gas meter 1 receives a signal 1 proportional to the operation of the gas meter 1, for example, 1 every time the gas meter 1 measures 5 m'.
A metering pulse signal generation circuit 4 that generates two metering pulse signals is connected. The valve switching device 2 also includes a switching signal generated in connection with the valve switching operation;
For example, a switching signal generating circuit 5 is connected which outputs a contact signal generated when switching a valve as a cylinder switching signal. Further, the gas leak detection circuit breaker 3 has a gas leak detection signal that generates a pulsed gas leak detection signal when a gas leak is detected by the gas leak detection circuit breaker 3 or when the cutoff valve is closed. A generating circuit 6 is connected.

The metering pulse signal, the switching signal, and the gas leak detection signal are signals having different pulse widths, for example, and are each given to the telephone set 7 with a built-in transmitter.

The telephone 7 with a built-in transmitter discriminates the metering pulse signal from the metering pulse signal generating circuit 4, the switching signal from the switching signal generating circuit 5, and the gas leak detection signal from the gas leak detection signal generating circuit 6, a signal discrimination circuit 8 that sends out these signals according to the discrimination results; and this signal discrimination circuit 8.
The telephone 22 on the delivery center 21 side is automatically dialed based on the command from the delivery center 2 through the telephone line 20.
an automatic dialing device 9 that enables communication between the telephone set 22 and the signal discrimination circuit 8 in the telephone line 1; a normal handset 1O; and switching between the handset 1O and the automatic dialing device 9 for the telephone line 20. It includes a changeover switch 11 for connection.

The signal discrimination circuit 8 is connected to the metering pulse signal generation circuit 4.
When a weighing pulse signal from the switching signal generating circuit 5, a switching signal from the switching signal generating circuit 5, and a gas leak detection signal from the gas leak detection signal generating circuit 6 are given, the automatic dialing device 9 is activated and a call is made to the distribution center via the telephone line 20. 21 telephone 2
After automatically calling the telephone 22 and making it possible to communicate with the telephone 22, these signals are sent out in accordance with preset priorities. Here, the gas leak detection signal from the gas leak detection signal generation circuit 6 is given the first priority, the switching signal from the valve switching signal generation circuit 2 is given the second priority, and the metering pulse signal generation circuit 4 is given the second priority. The third priority is set in advance to the metering pulse signal from .

On the delivery center 21 side, a telephone 22 and a signal processing device 24 connected to the telephone line 20 are respectively provided. The signal processing device 24 processes the signals from each of the signal generation circuits 4, 5.6, and supplies the data to a distribution system (not shown). The accumulated values are sequentially accumulated, updated and stored in the storage device 25, and used for, for example, fee calculation. Also, when a switching signal from the switching signal generation circuit 5 is given.

Give it to the distribution system as a cylinder replenishment command. Furthermore, when a gas leak detection signal is given from the gas leak detection signal generation circuit 6, a gas leak alarm (not shown) is activated.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. When the gas in the gas cylinder is used, the amount of gas used is measured by the gas meter 1. Then, every time the gas meter l measures, for example, 5 m, a metering pulse signal is sent from the metering pulse signal generating circuit 4 to the signal discriminating circuit 8 of the telephone 7 with a built-in transmitter.

When given any of the signals, the signal discrimination circuit 8 activates the automatic dialing device 9 to enable communication with the telephone 22 on the delivery center 21 side, and then sends these signals through the telephone line 20 in accordance with the priority order. Send to center 21. In this case, the metering pulse signal is transmitted via the telephone line 20 to the signal processing device 24 of the distribution center 21 .

The signal processing device 24 sequentially integrates the weighing pulse signals,
The integrated value is updated and stored in the storage device 25. Therefore, the amount of gas used in the gas cylinder is sequentially updated and stored in the storage device 25.

Now, when the remaining amount in the gas cylinder becomes low, the pressure inside the gas cylinder gradually begins to decrease. Eventually, when the gas pressure within the gas cylinder drops to a predetermined value, the valve switching device 2 is activated and the gas cylinder is switched to the spare gas cylinder. Then, a switching signal is provided from the switching signal generating device 5 to the signal discriminating circuit 8.

In this case, even if the metering pulse signal is given to the signal discrimination circuit 8 at the same time, the switching signal has higher priority, so the switching signal is the telephone! 120 to the signal processing device 24 of the distribution center 21. Then, the signal processing device 24 gives a cylinder replenishment command to the distribution system.

Therefore, in the distribution system, by replenishing gas cylinders when a cylinder replenishment command is given, it is possible to prevent the remaining amount of gas in each household's gas cylinder from reaching zero.

In this case, the number of gas cylinders delivered to each household and the amount of gas filled in each gas cylinder can be set and stored in advance, and these stored values can be compared with the amount of gas used. It is possible to automatically determine when to replace or replenish.

Further, when a gas leak is detected by the gas leak detector 3, a gas leak detection signal is provided from the gas leak detection signal generation circuit 6 to the signal discrimination circuit 8. In this case, even if other signals are given to the signal discrimination circuit 8 at the same time, the gas leak detection signal has a higher priority, so the gas leak detection signal is sent to the distribution center 21 via the telephone line 20. It is transmitted to the processing device 24. As a result, the signal processing device 24 issues a gas leak alarm.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the metering pulse signal generation circuit 4
Every time a weighing pulse signal is output from.

The automatic dialing device 9 automatically calls the telephone 22 of the center 21, transmits the weighing pulse signal to the center 21 through the telephone line 20, and after receiving the weighing pulse signal at the center 21, the total is stored. ,
By simply reading the integrated value from the center 21, it is possible to easily and accurately know when to replace gas cylinders in each household.

Moreover, it is sufficient to transmit a pulse signal proportional to the metering operation of the gas meter 1 from each user side, and a normal telephone line can be used, so that the configuration can be simplified without increasing costs.

Furthermore, since the switching signal generation circuit 5 also transmits the switching signal, the center can know when to switch the gas cylinders, and based on this information, the gas cylinders can be replaced or refilled.

Further, when a gas leak detection signal is given from the gas leak detection signal generation circuit 6, a gas leak alarm is transmitted to the center 21, so that gas leaks in each household can be intensively monitored.

In the above embodiment, if a sensor for detecting a fire in each household or a signal generator for emergency notification is added and these signals are supplied to the signal discrimination circuit 8, the center 21 can detect each household. Fire and emergency calls can be centrally monitored.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if the integrated value of the weighing pulse signal is cleared when the switching signal is given,
Even if you replace the gas cylinder, you can always accurately know the amount of gas used in the gas cylinder you are currently using.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the types of gas described in the above embodiments, but can be applied to various gas cylinders used in households.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a pulse signal proportional to the amount of gas used in a gas cylinder is automatically transmitted from the user side using a normal telephone line, and after the pulse signal is received at the center. To provide a gas cylinder supply/distribution detection system which allows a center to easily and accurately know when to replace a gas cylinder by storing the total amount, and which does not increase costs since it uses a normal telephone line. be able to.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figure is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. l...Gas meter as a measuring device, 2...Valve switching device, 3...Gas leak detection layer, 4...Measuring pulse signal generation circuit, 5...Switching signal generation circuit, 6... Gas leak detection signal generation circuit, 7... telephone with built-in transmitter, 8... signal discrimination circuit, 9... automatic dialing device,
10... Handset, 11... Changeover switch, 20...
...Telephone line, 21...Delivery center, 22...Telephone, 24...Signal processing device, 25...Storage device.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A system that automatically detects at the center when it is time to replace the gas cylinder used by the gas user, and the system automatically detects at the center when it is time to replace the gas cylinder used by the gas user. A metering pulse signal generation circuit that generates a metering pulse signal, a switching signal generation circuit that generates a switching signal in connection with the switching operation of a valve switching device that automatically switches gas cylinders, and a switching signal from this switching signal generation circuit and When at least one of the weighing pulse signals from the weighing pulse signal generation circuit is given, the function is to enable communication with the center via a telephone line, and then transmit the signal to the center via the telephone line. and a telephone set equipped with the metering pulse signal generating circuit, and a signal processing device for processing the metering pulse signal from the metering pulse signal generating circuit and the switching signal from the switching signal generating circuit on the center side. Distribution detection system. (2) In claim 1, the telephone set includes:
a signal discrimination circuit that discriminates the weighing pulse signal given from the weighing pulse signal generation circuit and the switching signal given from the switching signal generation circuit, and sends out these signals according to a preset priority; an automatic dialing device that enables communication between the center and the signal discrimination circuit via a telephone line based on a command; a handset; and a switch that switches and connects the handset and the automatic dialing device to the telephone line; A gas cylinder supply and distribution detection system comprising: a switch; (3) In claim 2, the signal discrimination circuit operates the automatic dialing device when a gas leak detection signal is given from the gas leak detector, and sends the gas to the center via the telephone line. A gas cylinder supply and distribution detection system characterized by transmitting a leak alarm.