JPS63101616A - Gas cutoff device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a dangerous condition by a method wherein a gas using condition is always supervised, compared with a set proper use condition and when it is exceeded the condition, a gas supplying is stopped, and further an alarm is given when gas cutoff operations are generated several times under the same abnormal condition after resetting of the use condition. CONSTITUTION:A starting signal is given to a timer 13, a counting is started, and simultaneously a gas using pattern is measured by the operation of a using condition memory means 15, an actually measured value is revised, and simultaneously with a completion of operation of the timer, final data is sent from a gas proper using condition varying means 16 to a gas proper use condition setting pert 12. At the gas proper using condition setting part 12, an initial condition is compared with the final data and the gas proper using condition is newly set. Subsequently, at the abnormal condition discriminating part 9, a new setting condition is compared with a signal from the use condition sensing part 6, and when it exceeds the condition, it is judged as an abnormal condition to operate the cutoff means 4. After resetting of the use condition by the varying means 16, if the cutoff means 4 is operated, the number of occurrences of abnormal condition is stored in a counting means 18 for respective conditions, and when the counted number of the same condition is reached a fixed number of times, an alarm signal is given from an alarm signal generating means 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention provides a gas shutoff device that automatically shuts off a gas passage in the event of an abnormality to prevent explosions, poisoning accidents, etc. caused by city gas, propane gas, etc. Regarding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A conventional gas cutoff device of this type, as shown in FIG.
A gas meter 2, a flow rate measuring means 3 that emits a signal according to the amount of gas passing through the gas meter, and a cutoff means 4 that stops the supply of gas are provided in the gas supply line 1, and the flow rate signal of the flow rate measuring means 3 is provided. A control unit 5 that judges the usage state and determines that there is an abnormality if the gas usage conditions deviate from preset and stored proper gas usage conditions, and issues a closing signal to the shutoff means 4.
and a shutoff means return signal generating section 1 which detects the state when the shutoff means is restored by opening the shutoff means and sends a signal to the control section.
It was equipped with 7.

An example of the configuration of this conventional control section is shown in FIG. Components with the same numbers as those in FIG. 6 have the same functions. The control unit 5 includes a usage status detection unit 6 that inputs the flow rate signal from the aforementioned flow rate measuring means 3 and detects the gas usage status, and an initial condition that sets appropriate usage conditions in advance according to the number of the gas meter. a setting section 7; a gas appropriate usage condition setting section 8 that stores the setting contents and sends a reference signal to the abnormality determination section 9;
It is comprised of a closing signal output section 10 that issues a closing signal to the shutoff means 4 in response to a signal from the abnormality determining section 9. The signal from the cut-off means return signal generation section 17 is input to the abnormality determination section 9, which detects that the cut-off means 4 has been operated to open.

Here, the appropriate usage conditions include items such as the total flow rate, individual maximum flow rate, and safe continuous usage time set according to the capacity of each gas meter. What is total flow rate?

If the current total flow rate of gas passing through the gas meter within a predetermined measurement period exceeds an initially set predetermined value, such as when a gas hose is disconnected or combustion of a gas appliance goes out, the shutoff means is activated. Individual maximum flow rate is a system that detects changes in gas flow rate every predetermined measurement period, identifies how many types of gas appliances are currently in use and how much gas each one consumes, and calculates the maximum gas flow rate among them. When the amount of consumption exceeds a set value, a closing signal is output to the shutoff means to deal with gas leaks such as cracks in the gas hose or combustion going out when the gas valve is half-open. In addition, the safe continuous use time is the continuous use time set for each range based on the statistical data of the time when a gas appliance in a certain combustion range is continuously used. When the time limit is exceeded, an activation signal is sent to the shutoff means to ensure safety even when the user forgets to turn off gas appliances.

If the above conditions are violated, the gas passage will be closed by the shutoff means, and the next time you want to use the gas, to open the passage,
It is necessary to open the shutoff means. Conventionally, after outputting a closing signal, if gas consumption is monitored by a usage state detection section before a return signal is input, the control section outputs a closing signal again to ensure safety. Therefore, when the shutoff means is opened, a return signal is input to make the control unit recognize that the gas is in a normal usage state, and the abnormality determination unit monitors the usage state according to the set gas usage conditions. was.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with the above configuration, the proper usage conditions are uniformly determined only by the initial value depending on the capacity of the gas meter installed in the gas pipe, so it is The problem was that special conditions were not incorporated.

The present invention solves such conventional problems, and aims to provide a safer gas cutoff device by measuring the usage pattern of each household.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the gas cutoff device of the present invention has the following features:
A gas meter provided in the gas supply line has a flow rate measuring means that emits a signal according to the amount of gas passing through the gas meter, and a shutoff means, and the gas proper usage conditions are stored in advance and the usage status is determined by the flow rate signal sent from the flow rate measuring means. A control unit that determines that there is an abnormality when the proper operating conditions are exceeded and issues a closing signal to the shut-off means; and a shut-off unit that detects the state when the shut-off means is opened and restored and sends a signal to the control unit. A device comprising a return signal generating section, a predetermined start signal applying means, a timer for counting a predetermined time using the start signal, and a flow rate signal sent from the flow rate measuring means to determine the usage state within the predetermined time. a use state storage means for storing, a gas proper use condition changing means for changing the proper gas use conditions according to the contents of the storage means, and a shutoff means actuated after the proper gas use conditions are reset by the changing means. A device comprising: a counting means for storing the number of occurrences of an abnormal state for each judgment condition; and a warning signal generating means for outputting a warning signal when the count of the same judgment condition by the counting means reaches a predetermined number of times. It is.

Operation According to the above-described configuration, the present invention starts counting a predetermined period of time when a start signal is applied to the timer, and at the same time, the usage state storage means is activated to measure the gas usage pattern during the period. That is, during this time, the actual measured values such as the aforementioned total flow rate, individual maximum flow rate, and continuous usage time are updated, and the final data is sent from the gas proper usage condition changing means to the setting section at the same time as the timer ends. .

This proper gas usage condition setting section compares the initial conditions with the aforementioned final data and newly sets predetermined proper gas usage conditions. Thereafter, the abnormality determining section compares the above-mentioned new set conditions with the signal from the usage condition detecting section, and when the conditions are deviated from, it is determined that there is an abnormality and the shutoff means is activated. Further, when the cutoff means is activated after the proper gas use conditions are reset by the changing means, the counting means stores the number of occurrences of abnormal conditions for each judged condition, and the counting means counts the number of occurrences of the same judgment condition. When the number reaches a predetermined number, the warning signal generating means outputs a warning signal.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, the same numbers as in FIG. 6 are components having the same functions. The control unit 11 includes a usage status detection unit 6 that inputs a flow rate signal from a conventional flow rate measuring means 3 and detects the gas usage status, and an initial state detection unit that sets appropriate usage conditions in advance according to the number of the gas meter. a condition setting section 7; a gas appropriate usage condition setting section 12 that stores the setting contents and sends a reference signal to the abnormality determination section 9; and the abnormality determination section 9.
a closing signal output section 10 that issues a closing signal to the shutoff means 4 in response to a signal from the shutoff means 4; and a shutoff means return signal generating section that detects the state when the shutoff means is opened and restored and sends a signal to the abnormality determination section. a timer 13 for counting a predetermined time; a start signal applying means 14 for sending a start signal to start counting to the timer; and a start signal applying means 14 for sending a start signal to start counting to the timer; Usage state storage means 15 for storing, and gas appropriate usage condition changing means 16 for updating the actual measured value of the usage pattern and sending the final data to the gas appropriate usage condition setting section when the timer ends.
and counting means 18 for storing the number of occurrences of an abnormal state for each determination condition when the shutoff means is activated after the appropriate gas usage conditions have been reset by the changing means; It is comprised of a warning signal generating means 19 that outputs a warning signal when a predetermined number of failures is reached.

In the above configuration, when the activation signal applying means (for example, a push button switch, external signal transmission means, etc.) is activated, the activation signal is sent to the timer, and the timer receives the signal and starts counting a predetermined period of time. The predetermined time may be set in advance or may be set arbitrarily, and is, for example, a span of one week or one month. Simultaneously with this timer operation, the usage state storage means 15 stores the gas usage pattern, that is, the total flow rate, individual maximum flow rate, and continuous usage time. The appropriate gas usage condition changing means stores the maximum value of each actually measured gas usage pattern, and thus updates the data. When the timer count ends, the final data is sent from the changing means to the gas appropriate usage condition setting section.

In this setting section, each initial condition that has already been set,
It compares the maximum value sent from the changing means, selects the smaller value, and sets it as a new proper usage condition. In other words, until the above-mentioned timer operation ends, the abnormality determination section compares the current gas usage state with a preset initial value to determine an abnormal state. After new conditions are set based on the results, abnormal conditions are determined by comparing them with the reset values. In addition, in the above, the smaller value is selected as the new proper usage condition, but if the measured maximum value exceeds the initial condition, the initial condition is of course used as is. Furthermore, if the measured maximum value is small, it can be reset by multiplying it by a predetermined coefficient. Here, when it is determined that there is an abnormality, the shutoff means is activated and the gas passage is closed.

By the way, after new appropriate gas usage conditions are set, the conditions under which the shutoff means was activated due to abnormality determination (for example, continuous usage time conditions within a certain gas consumption range, or total flow rate conditions, etc.) are counted by content. However, if an abnormality is determined many times under the same conditions and the gas passage is shut off, the system determines that the change from the previously measured gas usage pattern was inappropriate and outputs a warning signal.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and components having the same numbers as those in FIG. 1 have the same functions. 2o is a notification means such as a buzzer or lamp, which is activated by a signal from the warning signal generating means. In other words, if the gas is cut off many times under the same judgment conditions after the appropriate gas usage conditions have been set, the notification means will issue an audible or light warning, allowing the gas meter user to check the previous gas usage. It is possible to reliably recognize that the pattern learning results are not appropriate. Thereby, by operating the activation signal applying means and starting measurement of the usage pattern again, it is possible to set determination conditions suitable for actual use.

FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention, in which components with the same numbers as in FIG. 1 have the same functions.

The relearning starting means 21 receives the signal from the warning signal generating means 19 and sends a signal to the initial condition setting section 7 to set an initial value as the gas proper usage condition, and also to start relearning. A signal is sent to the timer activation signal applying means 14. Through this operation, the actual usage pattern of the home in which the gas meter is installed is re-learned, the results are compared with the initial values, and the predetermined judgment conditions are reset.

That is, since the relearning operation is automatically started when the operation of the warning signal generating means is detected, the user can use the gas meter under appropriate conditions suitable for the gas usage state. Reference numeral 22 denotes a control unit including a relearning activation means. In addition, by using the notification means described in FIG. 2 in combination, the user can also recognize that relearning is in progress.

The above-mentioned control section can be easily realized by using calculation and judgment functions based on program operations of a microcomputer or the like. Below, FIG. 4 shows a schematic program flow for realizing the control section shown in FIG. 3.

When the program starts, the flow rate is measured at A, and then the gas usage status is detected at B.

Then, it is determined at C whether or not the timer for a predetermined time is counting, and if it is counting, the usage status is stored at E and the maximum value is updated. Further, when the timer is not operating, the proper gas usage conditions and the usage state detection value are compared at D. Initially, initial conditions are set as conditions for proper gas use. By the way, after passing through E, the comparison work begins at D above. If the result of this comparison is abnormal, the process branches at F and jumps to P. If there is no abnormality, press H to check whether the changing means has been activated, and if it has been activated, press H.
1, that is, return to measuring the flow rate of A. If the operation has not been completed, it is determined whether or not the timer count has ended at (■), and when it has ended, the gas appropriate usage condition changing means is activated at (2). As described above, the maximum value of each stored pattern is compared with the initial value, and the one with the smaller value is selected and reset using K. Thereafter, in D, the reset value is treated as the proper gas usage condition and compared and contrasted with the detected value. Also, when the timer count is not completed at I, L
The process branches to , and it is determined whether or not counting is currently in progress. If counting is in progress, press M to continue counting; if not, press N to determine whether there is a start signal. When the start signal is input, the timer starts counting at 0. Also, if there is no signal, it returns to A again. By the way, after it is determined that there is an abnormality,
The number of occurrences of abnormal conditions is counted for each determination condition. Next, check whether the same judgment condition has occurred a predetermined number of times with Q, and if it has occurred, generate a warning signal with R, set relearning with S, and then close the gas passage with G. A closing signal is output to the shutoff means to shut off the circuit. Furthermore, if the predetermined number of times has not been reached, the process immediately proceeds to G. after that,
It is determined at T whether a return signal has been input, and if not, it is checked at U whether there is a gas flow rate or not. When the gas flow rate is observed, h2, that is, to G,
If not observed, branch to T. When there is a return signal, it is determined whether relearning is set with (■), and if it is set, clear the dimer with W, reset the initial conditions with X, and proceed to O of h3. from here,
Relearning begins. Further, when relearning is not set in V, the process returns to hl, that is, to A.

By executing this program 70-, the functions of the control section of the gas cutoff device of the present invention can be realized.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the gas cutoff device of the present invention provides the following effects.

(1) By constantly monitoring the gas usage status and comparing it with the set proper usage conditions, it is possible to detect gas leaks and combustion extinction, and if the conditions are deviated from, it is determined to be abnormal. If this happens, the shutoff means is activated and the gas supply is stopped, which has the effect of preventing dangerous situations such as gas explosions and gas poisoning.

(2) Observe the actual usage pattern of the gas supply system where the gas meter is installed for a predetermined period of time according to the activation signal, compare the maximum value with the initial value, and reset the smaller value as the proper usage condition. Therefore, compared to conditions that were determined simply by the capacity (number) of the gas make, individual special conditions are also taken into consideration, making it possible to further increase safety against gas accidents.

(3) Even after the proper gas usage conditions have been set through initial learning, if gas shutoff occurs many times under the same abnormality judgment conditions, it will be determined that the previous results were not suitable for actual use and a warning signal will be issued. The gas meter user can recognize that the learning result is inappropriate. Furthermore, by automatically starting relearning when the above state is reached, it is possible to cope with changes in lifestyle parameters or fluctuations in gas usage due to purchasing additional gas appliances midway.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gas cutoff device in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gas cutoff device in a comparable embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a gas cutoff device in yet another embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic program flow of the control section of a gas cutoff device in still another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional gas cutoff device, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional gas cutoff device. It is a block diagram of a control part. 2... Gas meter, 3... Flow rate measuring means, 4... Cutting off means, 11... Control unit, 13... Timer, 14 . . . Starting signal application means, 15 . . . Usage state storage means, 16
...Means for changing gas proper usage conditions, 17...
...Blocking means return signal generating section, 18... Counting means, 19... Warning signal generating means, 20...
... Notification means, 21 ... Relearning activation means. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 1
Figure 2 ν control section Figure 3 f7 m -l Figure 4

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A flow rate measuring means that emits a signal according to the amount of gas passing through a gas meter installed in the gas supply line, and
The shutoff means and gas proper usage conditions are stored in advance as initial values, the usage status is determined based on the flow rate signal sent from the flow rate measurement means, and if the proper usage conditions are deviated from, it is determined that there is an abnormality and a closing signal is issued to the shutoff means. a control section; a cutoff means return signal generating section which detects the state when the cutoff means is restored by opening the cutoff means and sends a signal to the control section; a timer for counting time; a usage state storage means for storing the usage state within the predetermined time based on a flow rate signal sent from the flow rate measuring means; and a gas usage state storage means for changing the gas proper usage conditions according to the contents of the storage means. Appropriate use condition changing means;
a counting means for storing the number of occurrences of an abnormal state for each determination condition when the cutoff means is activated after the proper gas usage conditions are reset by the changing means; a warning signal generating means for outputting a warning signal when the gas is reached. (2) Claim 1, which is provided with a notification means for notifying with a buzzer, lamp, etc. in response to a signal from a warning signal generation means.
Gas cutoff device as described in section. (3) The gas cutoff device according to claim 1, further comprising relearning starting means for resetting the initial conditions and starting the timer in response to a signal from the warning signal generating means.