WO2021220370A1 - Communication system, transmission device, and communication method - Google Patents

Communication system, transmission device, and communication method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021220370A1
WO2021220370A1 PCT/JP2020/018027 JP2020018027W WO2021220370A1 WO 2021220370 A1 WO2021220370 A1 WO 2021220370A1 JP 2020018027 W JP2020018027 W JP 2020018027W WO 2021220370 A1 WO2021220370 A1 WO 2021220370A1
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Prior art keywords
flow rate
water pipe
water
meter reading
pipe
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PCT/JP2020/018027
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
稔久 藤原
一貴 原
亮太 椎名
央也 小野
幸嗣 辻
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日本電信電話株式会社
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Application filed by 日本電信電話株式会社 filed Critical 日本電信電話株式会社
Priority to JP2022518464A priority Critical patent/JPWO2021220370A1/ja
Priority to PCT/JP2020/018027 priority patent/WO2021220370A1/en
Publication of WO2021220370A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021220370A1/en
Priority to JP2024036180A priority patent/JP2024056083A/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B11/00—Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a communication system, a transmitter, and a communication method for transmitting a physical quantity of a fluid in a distant pipe by using the pipe or the fluid.
  • a flow meter is installed in the water pipe to the home or business that is the service user, and by measuring the flow rate, the charge is made according to the usage amount.
  • the work of acquiring the measured value of the flow rate is called meter reading here.
  • meter reading has traditionally been performed by visual reading by a meter reader.
  • meter reading by a meter reader has problems such as difficulty in reading depending on the installation location, a difference in acquisition date and time, an increase in cost due to manual operation, and securing of a meter reader. ..
  • Non-Patent Document 1 a communication line has been used for non-manual meter reading (referred to as automatic meter reading here) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).
  • analog telephone lines and ISDN lines were often used, but in recent years, mobile lines, ADSL and optical lines have also been used (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).
  • Figure 1 shows the system model of automatic meter reading.
  • the center terminal 10 having the flow meter 11 reports the flow rate to the center device 20 connected by wire / wirelessly, so that the center device manually holds the flow meters installed in a plurality of homes, business establishments, and the like.
  • the meter can be read regardless.
  • automation using wireless for IoT such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), avoiding wired communication lines and mobiles, has also been proposed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3).
  • water flow meters are often installed in places where wiring is difficult or where radio waves are difficult to reach, such as in the ground, rather than on the ground / outdoor exposed parts. Therefore, there is a problem that automatic meter reading by wired or mobile line / IoT wireless or the like is difficult.
  • the communication system has decided to transmit measurement data by a water flow meter by a water pipe or a sound wave signal using water in the water pipe as a medium.
  • the communication system is A transmitter that transmits sound waves to the laid pipe or the fluid in the pipe, A receiver that receives the sound wave propagating in the pipe or the fluid, and To be equipped.
  • the transmitter according to the present invention is A measuring instrument that measures the physical quantity of fluid in the laid pipe, A transmitter that modulates the physical quantity measured by the measuring instrument by an arbitrary modulation method to generate a sound wave, and transmits the sound wave to the pipe or the fluid. To be equipped.
  • the communication method according to the present invention is To transmit sound waves to the laid pipe or the fluid in the pipe, and to receive the sound waves propagating in the pipe or the fluid. I do.
  • the present invention can provide a communication system, a transmitter, and a communication method capable of automatic meter reading regardless of wired and mobile lines / IoT radio and the like.
  • the communication system further includes a measuring device for measuring a physical quantity related to the fluid, and the transmitter modulates the physical quantity measured by the measuring device by an arbitrary modulation method to generate the sound wave. It is a feature.
  • the communication system according to the present invention is further provided with a management device that communicates with the receiver by a medium other than the sound wave and collects information on the sound wave from the receiver.
  • the communication system according to the present invention is further provided with a generator that generates electric power with a physical quantity of the fluid and supplies electric power to at least one of the transmitter and the receiver.
  • the present invention can provide a communication system, a transmitter, and a communication method capable of automatic meter reading regardless of wired and mobile lines / IoT wireless and the like.
  • a communication system including a transmitter that transmits sound waves to a laid pipe or a fluid in the pipe and a receiver that receives the sound waves propagating through the pipe or the fluid will be described. ..
  • the communication system further includes a measuring instrument for measuring a physical quantity related to the fluid.
  • the transmitter modulates the physical quantity measured by the measuring instrument by an arbitrary modulation method to generate the sound wave.
  • FIG. 2 shows an example in which the communication system of the present embodiment is applied to the meter reading system 301 of the water supply.
  • the meter reading system 301 A flow meter 11 that measures the flow rate of tap water flowing through the water pipe 50, and A flow rate transmitting device 30 having a transmission function (speaker) for transmitting sound waves to the water pipe 50 in which the flow meter 11 measures the flow rate.
  • a flow rate collecting device 40 which is arranged at a place away from the flow meter 11 and has a receiving function (microphone) for receiving the sound wave from the water pipe 50 of the same system as the water pipe in which the flow meter 11 is arranged.
  • the flow rate receiving device 40 can acquire the flow rate from the flow rate transmitting device 30 by sound waves using the water in the water pipe 50 or the water pipe 50 as a communication medium.
  • the transmitter corresponds to the flow rate transmitting device 30, the receiver corresponds to the flow collecting device 40, and the measuring device corresponds to the flow meter 11.
  • the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40 do not depend on the direction of the water flow.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a meter reading system 302.
  • the meter reading system 302 communicates with the receiver (flow rate receiving device 40) by a medium other than sound waves to the meter reading system 301 described with reference to FIG. 2, and collects sound wave information (flow rate) from the receiver (flow rate receiving device 40).
  • a management device center device 20 is further provided.
  • the meter reading system 302 includes a center terminal 10 arranged in a water pipe 50, and a center device 20 installed in a different place from the center terminal 10 by a wired / wireless line 60 or the like.
  • the center terminal 10 has a flow meter 11, a flow transmitting device 30, and a flow receiving device 40 described in the meter reading system 301.
  • the meter reading system 302 notifies the flow rate receiving device 40 from the flow rate transmitting device 30 via the water pipe 50 of the flow rate measured by the flow meter 11, and further reports the flow rate information from the flow rate receiving device 40 to the center device 20 via the line 60. can do.
  • Line 60 is an existing line that is separately provided in the home / business office and communicates with the outside.
  • the flow rate measured by the flow meter 11 arranged in the water pipe 50 in the home / business can be transmitted to the line 60 via the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40, and notified to the center device 20. If the flow rate receiving device 40 is arranged in a place where it is easy to connect to the line 60, the meter reading system 302 has an effect that it is not necessary to move the position of the flow meter 10 or install new wiring.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a meter reading system 303.
  • the meter reading system 303 is a center type system, and the flow rate receiving device 40 as the center device 20 can collect information from the flow rate transmitting devices 30 of a plurality of center terminals 10 having different users. At this time, in order for the flow rate receiving device 40 to identify different flow rate transmitting devices 30, it is preferable that the flow rate transmitting device 30 assigns a unique identifier to the transmitted information.
  • the meter reading system 303 can connect the flow meter 11 and the center device 20 of a plurality of homes / business establishments (center terminals 10) by using the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40. By using the water pipe 50, the meter reading system 303 can perform automatic meter reading of a plurality of homes / business establishments without using a new line.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a center-type meter reading system 304 of the present embodiment.
  • the meter reading system 304 has a configuration in which one center device 20 is connected to a plurality of center terminals 10 by a line 60. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 4, each center terminal 10 has a configuration in which one flow rate receiving device 40 receives flow rates from a plurality of flow rate transmitting devices 30.
  • the flow rate receiving device 40 in the center type system does not necessarily have to be arranged in the water delivery facility. Considering the reach of sound waves, it is preferable to arrange the flow rate receiving device 40 in a unit in which the flow rate transmitting device 30 for each water pipe 50 is grouped by the branches of the water pipe 50 as shown in FIG. Then, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the center device 20 may manage a plurality of flow rate receiving devices 40 using the line 60. That is, the plurality of flow rate transmitting devices 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40 can be regarded as an integrated center terminal 10 and connected to the center device 20.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a meter reading system 305.
  • the meter reading system 305 is a combination of the meter reading system 303 of FIG. 4 and the meter reading system 304 of FIG.
  • the flow rate transmitting device (30-1, 30-2) and the flow rate receiving device 40-1 are the configurations of the meter reading system 303 of FIG.
  • the flow rate transmitting device 30-3, the flow rate receiving device 40-2, and the center device 20 have the configuration of the meter reading system 304 of FIG.
  • the measuring instrument is a flow meter 11 for measuring the flow rate of tap water.
  • the measuring instrument may measure the state and quality of water pipes and tap water such as turbidity, color, and residual chlorine concentration as physical quantities, not limited to the flow rate.
  • the flow rate transmitting device 30 transmits the physical quantity to the flow rate receiving device 40 by sound waves.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40.
  • the flow rate transmitting device 30 includes a flow meter 11, a transmitting unit 13 such as a speaker, and a reading / controlling unit 12.
  • the reading / controlling unit 12 acquires the value of the flow meter 11, controls the timing of transmitting the value, and modulates it by an appropriate sound wave modulation method.
  • the transmitting unit 13 converts the modulated flow value into sound waves and transmits the modulated flow value to the water pipe 50 or the water in the water pipe 50.
  • the flow rate receiving communication device 40 has a receiving unit 24 such as a microphone and a control unit / output unit 22.
  • the receiving unit 24 acquires sound waves transmitted by the flow rate transmitting device 30 from the water pipe 50 or the water in the water pipe 50.
  • the control unit / output unit 22 converts the sound wave signal acquired by the reception unit 24 into a flow rate value, and outputs a signal that can be read by an external device.
  • the timing at which the reading / controlling unit 12 acquires the flow rate and transmits a sound wave may be based on a timer or time. Further, the timing may be in response to a request from the flow rate receiving device 40. In this case, it is necessary to perform bidirectional communication between the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40.
  • the flow rate transmitting device 30 further has a receiving unit 14 such as a microphone
  • the flow rate receiving device 40 further has a transmitting unit 23 such as a speaker.
  • the control unit / output unit 22 of the flow rate receiving device 40 outputs the sound wave of the instruction signal from the transmitting unit 23 to the water pipe 50 or the water in the water pipe 50 at a desired timing.
  • the control unit / output unit 22 of the flow rate receiving device 40 outputs the sound wave of the instruction signal from the transmitting unit 23 to the water pipe 50 or the water in the water pipe 50 at a desired timing.
  • the receiving unit 14 of the flow rate transmitting device 30 receives the sound wave of the instruction signal transmitted from the flow rate receiving device 40 via the water pipe 50 or the water in the water pipe 50.
  • the reading / control unit 12 acquires the flow rate from the flow meter 11 based on the instruction signal. In this way, the operation of the flow rate transmitting device 30 can be controlled from the flow rate receiving device 40.
  • the transmitting unit 13 and the transmitting unit 23 can use either or both of ultrasonic waves and audible sound waves as the sound waves to be transmitted.
  • the receiving unit (14, 24) not only acquires the sound wave of the transmitting unit (23, 13) of the opposite device, but may also acquire the sound wave of the transmitting unit (13, 23) of the own device. Echo cancellation at the time of transmission can be performed to prevent deterioration of communication quality due to end-to-end crosstalk.
  • the transmission unit (13, 23) divides each transmission timing into time division.
  • the time division can be based on the timing signal from the flow receiving device 40.
  • a guard time can be set assuming the propagation time of the water pipe.
  • the transmitting unit (13, 23) may divide each frequency. Time division and frequency division can also be combined.
  • the signals from the plurality of flow rate transmitting devices 30 do not interfere with each other by shifting the transmission time of each flow rate transmitting device 30 or shifting the frequency, or a combination of both. To do so.
  • the signal can also be coded for error detection.
  • the signal can also be encrypted to prevent tampering and eavesdropping.
  • the transmitting unit (13, 23) retransmits the time again. For example, the use of water at home is often instantaneous, and the water flow is stopped at many times, and it is preferable that the transmitting unit (13, 23) retransmits at this time.
  • the waveform distortion of the sound wave occurs due to the difference between the transmission time by the water pipe medium and the propagation time by the water medium.
  • waveform distortion occurs due to multiple reflections of sound waves in an aqueous medium.
  • OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
  • the flow rate transmitting device 30 can transmit the own device state such as an error of the own device / remaining battery level to the flow rate receiving device 40 in addition to the flow rate.
  • the center device 20 can remotely acquire information for the necessity of maintenance in addition to meter reading.
  • the administrator can perform maintenance only on the necessary equipment, instead of uniform maintenance such as the elapsed time from the installation of the flow meter 11. Similarly, the administrator can perform maintenance before each device is stopped or fails.
  • the meter reading system described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 may further include a generator that generates electric power with a physical quantity of the fluid and supplies electric power to at least one of the transmitter and the receiver.
  • a generator such as a thermoelectric conversion device or a power generation device using a water flow (hereinafter referred to as a hydroelectric power generation device).
  • the flow rate transmitting device 30 or the flow rate receiving device 40 also has a storage battery, and the generator can charge the storage battery.
  • the flow rate transmitting device 30 or the flow rate receiving device 40 can convert the vibration of the water pipe due to the water flow or the vibration of the crust at the place where it is installed into electric power.
  • the generator can extend the life of the primary battery for the operation of the flow rate transmitting device 30 or the flow rate receiving device 40, or can eliminate the need for the primary battery.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a thermoelectric conversion device 70 that utilizes a temperature difference between a water pipe and the underground or outside air.
  • the thermoelectric conversion device 70 includes a first heat exchange unit 71, a second heat exchange unit 72, a heat transfer unit 73, and an installation box lid 74.
  • the first heat exchange unit 71 exchanges heat with the water pipe 50 and the water in the water pipe 50.
  • the first heat exchange unit 71 can be integrated with the flow rate transmitting device 30.
  • the heat exchange unit 73 is a substance having a high heat transfer coefficient, and can efficiently exchange heat by attaching it to the back surface of the lid 74 or by integrating it with the metal lid 74.
  • the heat of the first heat exchange unit 71 is transferred to the thermoelectric element provided in the second heat exchange unit 72 by the heat transfer unit 73, or the heat of the second heat exchange unit 72 is transferred to the first heat exchange unit by the heat transfer unit 73. It is transmitted to the thermoelectric element provided in 71.
  • This enables thermoelectric conversion using the temperature difference between the temperature near the surface of the earth and the water temperature. The water temperature is almost stable, while the outside air temperature changes greatly due to environmental changes such as weather, seasons, and day and night, and a temperature difference from the water temperature is likely to occur. Electric power is generated by utilizing this temperature difference and is supplied to the flow rate transmitting device 30 or the flow rate receiving device 40.
  • a hydroelectric power generator may be used as the generator.
  • a turbine generator that converts a water flow into electric power in the water of a water pipe can be used.
  • the impeller type When an impeller type is used as the flow meter, the impeller type may be shared and the rotation of the rotating shaft may be transmitted to the power generation motor by a gear or the like.
  • the hydroelectric power generation device applies a load to the water flow, and reduces the load on the water delivery pump or the faucet water pressure. Therefore, when the power generation efficiency is lowered such as the water pressure is lowered, the power generation can be stopped. Further, when the storage battery is sufficiently charged, the power generation can be stopped.
  • This meter reading system uses water pipes and water from water pipes as a communication medium for sound wave signals, so that automatic meter reading can be performed in places where wireless / wired lines are physically difficult to use. For example, this meter reading system can transmit information such as a flow rate to a place where a wired / wireless line is easily available. Further, when it is difficult to supply electric power, the meter reading system can be continuously operated by providing a generator and a storage battery.
  • the communication system according to the present invention can be applied to meter reading of water flow meters installed in homes and business establishments and quality measurement of water pipes and tap water.

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a communication system, a transmission device, and a communication method that enable automated meter reading without relying on wired and mobile lines, wireless IoT, etc.　A meter reading system 301 according to the present invention is provided with: a flowmeter 11 which measures a flow rate of tap water flowing within a water pipe 50; a flow rate transmission device 30 which has a transmission function (speaker) capable of delivering an acoustic wave to the water pipe 50 where a flow rate measurement is made by the flowmeter 11; and a flow rate collection device 40 which is disposed at a location away from the flowmeter 11 and which has a reception function (microphone) capable of receiving the acoustic wave from a water pipe 50 of the same water delivery system as the water pipe at which the flowmeter 11 is disposed. That is to say, in this meter reading system 301, the flow rate reception device 40 is capable of acquiring a flow rate in the form of an acoustic wave from the flow rate transmission device 30 by using either water within the water pipe 50 or the water pipe 50 itself as a communication medium.

Description

通信システム、発信装置、及び通信方法Communication system, transmitter, and communication method
　本開示は、遠方にある配管内の流体の物理量を配管や流体を利用して伝達する通信システム、発信装置、及び通信方法に関する。 The present disclosure relates to a communication system, a transmitter, and a communication method for transmitting a physical quantity of a fluid in a distant pipe by using the pipe or the fluid.
　上水道サービスにおいては、サービス利用者である家庭や事業所への水道管に流量計が設置され、その流量を計測することで、利用量に応じた、課金を行っている。この流量の計測値の取得作業を、ここでは検針と呼ぶ。 In the water supply service, a flow meter is installed in the water pipe to the home or business that is the service user, and by measuring the flow rate, the charge is made according to the usage amount. The work of acquiring the measured value of the flow rate is called meter reading here.
　この検針は、従来、検針者による目視による読み取りで行われてきた。しかし、検針者による検針は、設置個所による読み取りの困難さが発生することや、また取得日時の差が生じることや、人手であることによるコスト増、また、検針者の確保に課題があった。 This meter reading has traditionally been performed by visual reading by a meter reader. However, meter reading by a meter reader has problems such as difficulty in reading depending on the installation location, a difference in acquisition date and time, an increase in cost due to manual operation, and securing of a meter reader. ..
　そこで、人手によらない検針（ここでは自動検針と呼ぶ）のために、通信回線が用いられてきた（例えば、非特許文献１を参照。）。具体的には、従来は、アナログ電話回線やＩＳＤＮ回線を用いることが多かったが、近年では、モバイル回線、ＡＤＳＬや光回線の利用も行われる（例えば、非特許文献２を参照。）。 Therefore, a communication line has been used for non-manual meter reading (referred to as automatic meter reading here) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). Specifically, in the past, analog telephone lines and ISDN lines were often used, but in recent years, mobile lines, ADSL and optical lines have also been used (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).
　自動検針のシステムモデルを図１に示す。流量計１１を持つセンタ端末１０が、有線／無線で接続されたセンタ装置２０にその流量を報告することで、センタ装置は、複数の家庭、事業所などに設置された流量計を、人手によらず検針することができる。更に、有線の通信回線やモバイルを避け、ＬＰＷＡ（Ｌｏｗ　Ｐｏｗｅｒ　Ｗｉｄｅ　Ａｒｅａ）などのＩｏＴ用の無線を利用した自動化も提案されている（例えば、非特許文献３を参照。）。 Figure 1 shows the system model of automatic meter reading. The center terminal 10 having the flow meter 11 reports the flow rate to the center device 20 connected by wire / wirelessly, so that the center device manually holds the flow meters installed in a plurality of homes, business establishments, and the like. The meter can be read regardless. Further, automation using wireless for IoT such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), avoiding wired communication lines and mobiles, has also been proposed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3).
　水道の流量計は、ガスメータや電気メータと異なり、地上／屋外露出部ではなく、地中などの配線が困難な場所や電波の届きにくい場所に設置されることが多い。このため、有線およびモバイル回線／ＩｏＴ無線等による自動検針が困難という課題があった。 Unlike gas meters and electric meters, water flow meters are often installed in places where wiring is difficult or where radio waves are difficult to reach, such as in the ground, rather than on the ground / outdoor exposed parts. Therefore, there is a problem that automatic meter reading by wired or mobile line / IoT wireless or the like is difficult.
　そこで、本発明は、上記課題を解決するために、有線およびモバイル回線／ＩｏＴ無線等によらず自動検針が可能な通信システム、発信装置、及び通信方法を提供することを目的とする。 Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system, a transmitter, and a communication method capable of automatic meter reading regardless of wired and mobile lines / IoT radios and the like.
　上記目的を達成するために、本発明に係る通信システムは、水道の流量計による計測データを水道管または水道管内の水を媒体とした音波信号によって伝送することとした。 In order to achieve the above object, the communication system according to the present invention has decided to transmit measurement data by a water flow meter by a water pipe or a sound wave signal using water in the water pipe as a medium.
　具体的には、本発明に係る通信システムは、
　敷設された配管又は前記配管内の流体に対して音波を送信する送信器と、
　前記配管又は前記流体を伝搬する前記音波を受信する受信器と、
を備える。 Specifically, the communication system according to the present invention is
A transmitter that transmits sound waves to the laid pipe or the fluid in the pipe,
A receiver that receives the sound wave propagating in the pipe or the fluid, and
To be equipped.
　また、本発明に係る発信装置は、
　敷設された配管内の流体の物理量を測定する測定器と、
　前記測定器が測定した前記物理量を任意の変調方式で変調して音波を生成し、前記配管又は前記流体に対して前記音波を送信する送信器と、
を備える。 Further, the transmitter according to the present invention is
A measuring instrument that measures the physical quantity of fluid in the laid pipe,
A transmitter that modulates the physical quantity measured by the measuring instrument by an arbitrary modulation method to generate a sound wave, and transmits the sound wave to the pipe or the fluid.
To be equipped.
　さらに、本発明に係る通信方法は、
　敷設された配管又は前記配管内の流体に対して音波を送信すること、及び
　前記配管又は前記流体を伝搬する前記音波を受信すること、
を行う。 Further, the communication method according to the present invention is
To transmit sound waves to the laid pipe or the fluid in the pipe, and to receive the sound waves propagating in the pipe or the fluid.
I do.
　本通信システム、本発信装置及び本通信方法は、敷設されている配管及びその内部の流体を利用して通信を行うため、配線が困難な場所や電波の届きにくい場所であっても自動検針が可能である。従って、本発明は、有線およびモバイル回線／ＩｏＴ無線等によらず自動検針が可能な通信システム、発信装置、及び通信方法を提供することができる。 Since the communication system, the transmitter, and the communication method communicate using the installed piping and the fluid inside it, automatic meter reading can be performed even in places where wiring is difficult or where radio waves are difficult to reach. It is possible. Therefore, the present invention can provide a communication system, a transmitter, and a communication method capable of automatic meter reading regardless of wired and mobile lines / IoT radio and the like.
　本発明に係る通信システムは、前記流体に関する物理量を測定する測定器をさらに備え、前記送信器は、前記測定器が測定した前記物理量を任意の変調方式で変調して前記音波を生成することを特徴とする。 The communication system according to the present invention further includes a measuring device for measuring a physical quantity related to the fluid, and the transmitter modulates the physical quantity measured by the measuring device by an arbitrary modulation method to generate the sound wave. It is a feature.
　本発明に係る通信システムは、前記音波以外の媒体で前記受信器と通信し、前記受信器から前記音波の情報を収集する管理装置をさらに備えることを特徴とする。 The communication system according to the present invention is further provided with a management device that communicates with the receiver by a medium other than the sound wave and collects information on the sound wave from the receiver.
　本発明に係る通信システムは、前記流体の物理量で発電し、前記送信器と前記受信器の少なくとも一方に電力を供給する発電器をさらに備えることを特徴とする。 The communication system according to the present invention is further provided with a generator that generates electric power with a physical quantity of the fluid and supplies electric power to at least one of the transmitter and the receiver.
　なお、上記各発明は、可能な限り組み合わせることができる。 The above inventions can be combined as much as possible.
　本発明は、有線およびモバイル回線／ＩｏＴ無線等によらず自動検針が可能な通信システム、発信装置、及び通信方法を提供することができる。 The present invention can provide a communication system, a transmitter, and a communication method capable of automatic meter reading regardless of wired and mobile lines / IoT wireless and the like.
自動検針システムを説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the automatic meter reading system. 本発明に係る通信システムを説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the communication system which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係る通信システムを説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the communication system which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係る通信システムを説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the communication system which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係る通信システムを説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the communication system which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係る通信システムを説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the communication system which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係る通信システムを説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the communication system which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係る通信システムを説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the communication system which concerns on this invention.
　添付の図面を参照して本発明の実施形態を説明する。以下に説明する実施形態は本発明の実施例であり、本発明は、以下の実施形態に制限されるものではない。なお、本明細書及び図面において符号が同じ構成要素は、相互に同一のものを示すものとする。
　なお、以下の説明では、配管が水道管であり、流体が水道水である例を説明するが、本発明は、この例に限定されず、気体や液体を流すシステムに適用することができる。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, the components having the same reference numerals in the present specification and the drawings shall indicate the same components.
In the following description, an example in which the pipe is a water pipe and the fluid is tap water will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this example and can be applied to a system in which a gas or liquid flows.
（実施形態１）
　本実施形態では、敷設された配管又は前記配管内の流体に対して音波を送信する送信器と、前記配管又は前記流体を伝搬する前記音波を受信する受信器と、を備える通信システムを説明する。当該通信システムは、前記流体に関する物理量を測定する測定器をさらに備える。前記送信器は、前記測定器が測定した前記物理量を任意の変調方式で変調して前記音波を生成する。 (Embodiment 1)
In the present embodiment, a communication system including a transmitter that transmits sound waves to a laid pipe or a fluid in the pipe and a receiver that receives the sound waves propagating through the pipe or the fluid will be described. .. The communication system further includes a measuring instrument for measuring a physical quantity related to the fluid. The transmitter modulates the physical quantity measured by the measuring instrument by an arbitrary modulation method to generate the sound wave.
　図２は、本実施形態の通信システムを水道の検針システム３０１に適用した例である。検針システム３０１は、
　水道管５０内を流れる水道水の流量を測定する流量計１１と、
　流量計１１が流量を測定する水道管５０に対して音波を発信する発信機能（スピーカ）を持つ流量発信装置３０と、
　流量計１１と離れた場所に配置され、流量計１１が配置された水道管と同一系統の水道管５０から前記音波を受信する受信機能（マイク）を持つ流量収集装置４０と、
を備える。
　つまり、検針システム３０１は、流量受信装置４０が、水道管５０内の水または水道管５０を通信媒体として、音波により流量発信装置３０から流量を取得することができる。 FIG. 2 shows an example in which the communication system of the present embodiment is applied to the meter reading system 301 of the water supply. The meter reading system 301
A flow meter 11 that measures the flow rate of tap water flowing through the water pipe 50, and
A flow rate transmitting device 30 having a transmission function (speaker) for transmitting sound waves to the water pipe 50 in which the flow meter 11 measures the flow rate.
A flow rate collecting device 40 which is arranged at a place away from the flow meter 11 and has a receiving function (microphone) for receiving the sound wave from the water pipe 50 of the same system as the water pipe in which the flow meter 11 is arranged.
To be equipped.
That is, in the meter reading system 301, the flow rate receiving device 40 can acquire the flow rate from the flow rate transmitting device 30 by sound waves using the water in the water pipe 50 or the water pipe 50 as a communication medium.
　なお、前記送信器が流量発信装置３０に、前記受信器が流量収集装置４０に、前記測定器が流量計１１に相当する。 The transmitter corresponds to the flow rate transmitting device 30, the receiver corresponds to the flow collecting device 40, and the measuring device corresponds to the flow meter 11.
（実施形態２）
　ここで、流量発信装置３０と流量受信装置４０は、水道の流れの向きに依存しない。 (Embodiment 2)
Here, the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40 do not depend on the direction of the water flow.
　まず、流量発信装置３０が上流、流量受信装置４０が下流にある検針システム３０２を説明する。図３は、検針システム３０２を説明する図である。検針システム３０２は、図２で説明した検針システム３０１に、音波以外の媒体で受信器（流量受信装置４０）と通信し、受信器（流量受信装置４０）から音波の情報（流量）を収集する管理装置（センタ装置２０）をさらに備える。 First, the meter reading system 302 in which the flow rate transmitting device 30 is upstream and the flow rate receiving device 40 is downstream will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a meter reading system 302. The meter reading system 302 communicates with the receiver (flow rate receiving device 40) by a medium other than sound waves to the meter reading system 301 described with reference to FIG. 2, and collects sound wave information (flow rate) from the receiver (flow rate receiving device 40). A management device (center device 20) is further provided.
　検針システム３０２は、水道管５０に配置したセンタ端末１０と、センタ端末１０と有線／無線の回線６０などで別の場所に設置されたセンタ装置２０を備える。センタ端末１０は、検針システム３０１で説明した流量計１１、流量発信装置３０及び流量受信装置４０を有する。検針システム３０２は、流量計１１が測定した流量を流量発信装置３０から水道管５０を介して流量受信装置４０に通知し、さらに、流量受信装置４０から回線６０でセンタ装置２０に流量情報を報告することができる。 The meter reading system 302 includes a center terminal 10 arranged in a water pipe 50, and a center device 20 installed in a different place from the center terminal 10 by a wired / wireless line 60 or the like. The center terminal 10 has a flow meter 11, a flow transmitting device 30, and a flow receiving device 40 described in the meter reading system 301. The meter reading system 302 notifies the flow rate receiving device 40 from the flow rate transmitting device 30 via the water pipe 50 of the flow rate measured by the flow meter 11, and further reports the flow rate information from the flow rate receiving device 40 to the center device 20 via the line 60. can do.
　回線６０は、家庭／事業所内に別途設けられ、外部と通信する既存の回線である。その家庭／事業所内の水道管５０に配置された流量計１１が測定した流量を流量発信装置３０と流量受信装置４０を介して回線６０に伝え、センタ装置２０に通知することができる。検針システム３０２には、流量受信装置４０を回線６０と接続しやすい場所に配置すれば、流量計１０の位置を移動することや新たな配線を設置することの必要が無いという効果がある。 Line 60 is an existing line that is separately provided in the home / business office and communicates with the outside. The flow rate measured by the flow meter 11 arranged in the water pipe 50 in the home / business can be transmitted to the line 60 via the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40, and notified to the center device 20. If the flow rate receiving device 40 is arranged in a place where it is easy to connect to the line 60, the meter reading system 302 has an effect that it is not necessary to move the position of the flow meter 10 or install new wiring.
（実施形態３）
　次に、流量受信装置４０が上流、流量発信装置３０が下流にある検針システム３０３を説明する。図４は、検針システム３０３を説明する図である。検針システム３０３は、センタ型システムであって、センタ装置２０として流量受信装置４０が、利用者の異なる複数のセンタ端末１０の流量発信装置３０からの情報を収集することができる。この時、流量受信装置４０が、異なる流量発信装置３０を識別するために、流量発信装置３０は発信する情報にユニークな識別子を付けることが好ましい。 (Embodiment 3)
Next, the meter reading system 303 in which the flow rate receiving device 40 is upstream and the flow rate transmitting device 30 is downstream will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a meter reading system 303. The meter reading system 303 is a center type system, and the flow rate receiving device 40 as the center device 20 can collect information from the flow rate transmitting devices 30 of a plurality of center terminals 10 having different users. At this time, in order for the flow rate receiving device 40 to identify different flow rate transmitting devices 30, it is preferable that the flow rate transmitting device 30 assigns a unique identifier to the transmitted information.
　検針システム３０３は、流量発信装置３０と流量受信装置４０を用いることで、複数の家庭／事業所（センタ端末１０）の流量計１１とセンタ装置２０を接続することができる。検針システム３０３は、水道管５０を利用することで新たな回線を利用することなく複数の家庭／事業所の自動検針を行うことができる。 The meter reading system 303 can connect the flow meter 11 and the center device 20 of a plurality of homes / business establishments (center terminals 10) by using the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40. By using the water pipe 50, the meter reading system 303 can perform automatic meter reading of a plurality of homes / business establishments without using a new line.
（実施形態４）
　図５は、本実施形態のセンタ型の検針システム３０４を説明する図である。図５では水道管５０の記載を省いている。検針システム３０４は、１つのセンタ装置２０が複数のセンタ端末１０と回線６０で接続された構成である。さらに、それぞれのセンタ端末１０は、図４で説明したように、１つの流量受信装置４０が複数の流量発信装置３０から流量を受信する構成である。 (Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a center-type meter reading system 304 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the description of the water pipe 50 is omitted. The meter reading system 304 has a configuration in which one center device 20 is connected to a plurality of center terminals 10 by a line 60. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 4, each center terminal 10 has a configuration in which one flow rate receiving device 40 receives flow rates from a plurality of flow rate transmitting devices 30.
　センタ型システムにおける流量受信装置４０は、必ずしも水の送出設備に配置する必要はない。音波の到達範囲を考慮し、図５のように水道管５０毎の流量発信装置３０を水道管５０の枝でまとめた単位で流量受信装置４０を配置することが好ましい。そして、センタ装置２０は、図３で説明したように、回線６０を用いて複数の流量受信装置４０を管理してもよい。つまり、複数の流量発信装置３０と流量受信装置４０を一体のセンタ端末１０とみなし、センタ装置２０に接続する構成とすることができる。 The flow rate receiving device 40 in the center type system does not necessarily have to be arranged in the water delivery facility. Considering the reach of sound waves, it is preferable to arrange the flow rate receiving device 40 in a unit in which the flow rate transmitting device 30 for each water pipe 50 is grouped by the branches of the water pipe 50 as shown in FIG. Then, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the center device 20 may manage a plurality of flow rate receiving devices 40 using the line 60. That is, the plurality of flow rate transmitting devices 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40 can be regarded as an integrated center terminal 10 and connected to the center device 20.
（実施形態５）
　また、図６のような構成とすることもできる。図６は、検針システム３０５を説明する図である。検針システム３０５は、図４の検針システム３０３と図５の検針システム３０４とを組み合わせた構成である。流量発信装置（３０－１、３０－２）と流量受信装置４０－１は図４の検針システム３０３の構成である。一方、流量発信装置３０－３、流量受信装置４０－２、及びセンタ装置２０は、図５の検針システム３０４の構成である。 (Embodiment 5)
Further, the configuration as shown in FIG. 6 can also be used. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a meter reading system 305. The meter reading system 305 is a combination of the meter reading system 303 of FIG. 4 and the meter reading system 304 of FIG. The flow rate transmitting device (30-1, 30-2) and the flow rate receiving device 40-1 are the configurations of the meter reading system 303 of FIG. On the other hand, the flow rate transmitting device 30-3, the flow rate receiving device 40-2, and the center device 20 have the configuration of the meter reading system 304 of FIG.
（実施形態６）
　実施形態１から５で、測定器が水道水の流量を測定する流量計１１である場合を説明した。測定器は、流量に限らず、物理量として濁りや色、残留塩素濃度等の水道管および水道水の状態や品質を測定してもよい。この場合、流量発信装置３０は、流量受信装置４０にその物理量を音波で伝達する。 (Embodiment 6)
In the first to fifth embodiments, the case where the measuring instrument is a flow meter 11 for measuring the flow rate of tap water has been described. The measuring instrument may measure the state and quality of water pipes and tap water such as turbidity, color, and residual chlorine concentration as physical quantities, not limited to the flow rate. In this case, the flow rate transmitting device 30 transmits the physical quantity to the flow rate receiving device 40 by sound waves.
（実施形態７）
　本実施形態では、流量発信装置３０と流量受信装置４０について説明する。図７は、流量発信装置３０と流量受信装置４０の構成を説明する図である。 (Embodiment 7)
In this embodiment, the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40.
　流量発信装置３０は、流量計１１、スピーカ等の発信部１３、および読取／制御部１２を有する。読取／制御部１２は、流量計１１の値を取得し、これを送信するタイミングを制御し、適切な音波の変調方式で変調する。発信部１３は、変調された流量の値を音波に変換して水道管５０又は水道管５０中の水に発信する。 The flow rate transmitting device 30 includes a flow meter 11, a transmitting unit 13 such as a speaker, and a reading / controlling unit 12. The reading / controlling unit 12 acquires the value of the flow meter 11, controls the timing of transmitting the value, and modulates it by an appropriate sound wave modulation method. The transmitting unit 13 converts the modulated flow value into sound waves and transmits the modulated flow value to the water pipe 50 or the water in the water pipe 50.
　流量受信信装置４０は、マイク等の受信部２４、および制御部／出力部２２を有する。受信部２４は、水道管５０又は水道管５０中の水から、流量発信装置３０が発信した音波を取得する。制御部／出力部２２は、受信部２４が取得した音波信号を流量値に変換し、外部装置で読み取り可能な信号を出力する。 The flow rate receiving communication device 40 has a receiving unit 24 such as a microphone and a control unit / output unit 22. The receiving unit 24 acquires sound waves transmitted by the flow rate transmitting device 30 from the water pipe 50 or the water in the water pipe 50. The control unit / output unit 22 converts the sound wave signal acquired by the reception unit 24 into a flow rate value, and outputs a signal that can be read by an external device.
　読取／制御部１２が流量を取得し、音波を発信するタイミングはタイマや時刻に基づいてもよい。また、当該タイミングは、流量受信装置４０からの要求に応じてもよい。この場合、流量発信装置３０と流量受信装置４０との間で双方向通信する必要がある。双方向通信する場合、流量発信装置３０はマイク等の受信部１４をさらに有し、流量受信装置４０はスピーカなどの発信部２３をさらに有する。流量受信装置４０の制御部／出力部２２は、所望のタイミングで発信部２３から指示信号の音波を水道管５０又は水道管５０中の水に出力させる。 The timing at which the reading / controlling unit 12 acquires the flow rate and transmits a sound wave may be based on a timer or time. Further, the timing may be in response to a request from the flow rate receiving device 40. In this case, it is necessary to perform bidirectional communication between the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40. In the case of bidirectional communication, the flow rate transmitting device 30 further has a receiving unit 14 such as a microphone, and the flow rate receiving device 40 further has a transmitting unit 23 such as a speaker. The control unit / output unit 22 of the flow rate receiving device 40 outputs the sound wave of the instruction signal from the transmitting unit 23 to the water pipe 50 or the water in the water pipe 50 at a desired timing.
　流量受信装置４０の制御部／出力部２２は、所望のタイミングで発信部２３から指示信号の音波を水道管５０又は水道管５０中の水に出力させる。流量発信装置３０の受信部１４は、水道管５０又は水道管５０中の水を介して流量受信装置４０から送信されてきた指示信号の音波を受信する。読取／制御部１２は、当該指示信号に基づいて流量計１１から流量を取得する。このように、流量受信装置４０から流量発信装置３０の動作を制御することができる。 The control unit / output unit 22 of the flow rate receiving device 40 outputs the sound wave of the instruction signal from the transmitting unit 23 to the water pipe 50 or the water in the water pipe 50 at a desired timing. The receiving unit 14 of the flow rate transmitting device 30 receives the sound wave of the instruction signal transmitted from the flow rate receiving device 40 via the water pipe 50 or the water in the water pipe 50. The reading / control unit 12 acquires the flow rate from the flow meter 11 based on the instruction signal. In this way, the operation of the flow rate transmitting device 30 can be controlled from the flow rate receiving device 40.
　なお、発信部１３や発信部２３は、発信する音波として、超音波、可聴音波のいずれかまたは両方を使うことができる。 Note that the transmitting unit 13 and the transmitting unit 23 can use either or both of ultrasonic waves and audible sound waves as the sound waves to be transmitted.
　また、受信部（１４、２４）は、対向装置の発信部（２３、１３）の音波を取得するだけでなく、自装置の発信部（１３、２３）の音波も取得することがあり、近端漏話による通信品質劣化を防ぐための発信時のエコーキャンセルを行うことができる。 Further, the receiving unit (14, 24) not only acquires the sound wave of the transmitting unit (23, 13) of the opposite device, but may also acquire the sound wave of the transmitting unit (13, 23) of the own device. Echo cancellation at the time of transmission can be performed to prevent deterioration of communication quality due to end-to-end crosstalk.
　また、双方向通信にするために、発信部（１３、２３）は、それぞれの発信タイミングを時分割する。時分割は、流量受信装置４０からのタイミング信号に基づくことができる。また、水道管の伝搬時間を想定したガードタイムを設けることができる。
　また、双方向通信にするために、発信部（１３、２３）は、それぞれの周波数を分割してもよい。時分割と周波数分割を組み合わせることもできる。 Further, in order to perform two-way communication, the transmission unit (13, 23) divides each transmission timing into time division. The time division can be based on the timing signal from the flow receiving device 40. In addition, a guard time can be set assuming the propagation time of the water pipe.
Further, in order to make bidirectional communication, the transmitting unit (13, 23) may divide each frequency. Time division and frequency division can also be combined.
　センタ型の検針システムは、流量の自動発信する場合、それぞれの流量発信装置３０の発信時刻をずらすか、周波数をずらすか、その両方の組み合わせにより、複数の流量発信装置３０からの信号が混信しないようにする。 In the center type meter reading system, when the flow rate is automatically transmitted, the signals from the plurality of flow rate transmitting devices 30 do not interfere with each other by shifting the transmission time of each flow rate transmitting device 30 or shifting the frequency, or a combination of both. To do so.
　信号は、エラー検知をするための、符号化を行うこともできる。 The signal can also be coded for error detection.
　信号は、改ざん、盗聴を防ぐために、暗号化を行うこともできる。 The signal can also be encrypted to prevent tampering and eavesdropping.
　水流による雑音で受信部（１４、２４）が音波を受信できない場合、発信部（１３、２３）は、時間を改めて再送する。例えば、家庭における水利用は瞬間的であることが多く、多くの時間に水流が停止しており、発信部（１３、２３）は、この時間に再送することが好ましい。 If the receiving unit (14, 24) cannot receive the sound wave due to the noise caused by the water flow, the transmitting unit (13, 23) retransmits the time again. For example, the use of water at home is often instantaneous, and the water flow is stopped at many times, and it is preferable that the transmitting unit (13, 23) retransmits at this time.
　流量発信装置３０と流量受信装置４０の間の通信は、水道管媒体による伝番時間と水媒体による伝搬時間の差による音波の波形歪が起きる。あるいは水媒体における音波の多重反射による波形歪が起きる。これらを補正するために、流量発信装置３０と流量受信装置４０の間の通信をＯＦＤＭ（Ｏｒｔｈｏｇｏｎａｌ　Ｆｒｅｑｕｅｎｃｙ　Ｄｉｖｉｓｉｏｎ　Ｍｕｌｔｉｐｌｅｘｉｎｇ）変調で行うことが好ましい。 In the communication between the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40, the waveform distortion of the sound wave occurs due to the difference between the transmission time by the water pipe medium and the propagation time by the water medium. Alternatively, waveform distortion occurs due to multiple reflections of sound waves in an aqueous medium. In order to correct these, it is preferable to perform communication between the flow rate transmitting device 30 and the flow rate receiving device 40 by OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) modulation.
　流量発信装置３０は、流量の他、自装置のエラー／電池残量などの自装置状態を流量受信装置４０へ発信することができる。これにより、センタ装置２０は、検針の他、メンテナンスの要否のための情報をリモートで取得できる。結果として、管理者は、流量計１１の設置からの経過年月などの一律のメンテナンスではなく、必要な機器のみへのメンテナンスが可能となる。同様に、管理者は、各装置の停止や故障前にメンテナンスを行うことができる。 The flow rate transmitting device 30 can transmit the own device state such as an error of the own device / remaining battery level to the flow rate receiving device 40 in addition to the flow rate. As a result, the center device 20 can remotely acquire information for the necessity of maintenance in addition to meter reading. As a result, the administrator can perform maintenance only on the necessary equipment, instead of uniform maintenance such as the elapsed time from the installation of the flow meter 11. Similarly, the administrator can perform maintenance before each device is stopped or fails.
（実施形態８）
　図２から図６で説明した検針システムは、前記流体の物理量で発電し、前記送信器と前記受信器の少なくとも一方に電力を供給する発電器をさらに備えることができる。
　流量発信装置３０または流量受信装置４０は、自身で電力を調達するため、熱電変換装置または水流による発電装置等（以下、水力発電装置）の発電器を有することができる。また、流量発信装置３０または流量受信装置４０は、蓄電池も有しており、前記発電器は、蓄電池を充電することができる。 (Embodiment 8)
The meter reading system described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 may further include a generator that generates electric power with a physical quantity of the fluid and supplies electric power to at least one of the transmitter and the receiver.
Since the flow rate transmitting device 30 or the flow rate receiving device 40 procures electric power by itself, it may have a generator such as a thermoelectric conversion device or a power generation device using a water flow (hereinafter referred to as a hydroelectric power generation device). Further, the flow rate transmitting device 30 or the flow rate receiving device 40 also has a storage battery, and the generator can charge the storage battery.
　例えば、流量発信装置３０または流量受信装置４０は、水流による水道管の振動、または、設置された場所の地殻の振動を電力へ変換することができる。発電器により流量発信装置３０または流量受信装置４０の動作のための一次電池の寿命を延伸、または、一次電池を不要とすることができる。 For example, the flow rate transmitting device 30 or the flow rate receiving device 40 can convert the vibration of the water pipe due to the water flow or the vibration of the crust at the place where it is installed into electric power. The generator can extend the life of the primary battery for the operation of the flow rate transmitting device 30 or the flow rate receiving device 40, or can eliminate the need for the primary battery.
　図８は、水道管と地中又は外気の温度差を利用する熱電変換装置７０の例を説明する図である。熱電変換装置７０は、第１熱交換部７１、第２熱交換部７２、熱伝達部７３、及び設置箱蓋７４を備える。
　第１熱交換部７１は、水道管５０および水道管５０中の水との熱交換を行う。ここで、第１熱交換部７１は流量発信装置３０と一体とすることもできる。
　第２熱交換部７２は、蓋７４の表表面に設置することで、地表と効率よく熱交換を行うことができる。熱交換部７３は、熱伝達率の高い物質であり、蓋７４の裏表面に取り付けるか、金属製の蓋７４と一体とすることで、効率的に熱交換ができる。 FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a thermoelectric conversion device 70 that utilizes a temperature difference between a water pipe and the underground or outside air. The thermoelectric conversion device 70 includes a first heat exchange unit 71, a second heat exchange unit 72, a heat transfer unit 73, and an installation box lid 74.
The first heat exchange unit 71 exchanges heat with the water pipe 50 and the water in the water pipe 50. Here, the first heat exchange unit 71 can be integrated with the flow rate transmitting device 30.
By installing the second heat exchange unit 72 on the surface surface of the lid 74, heat exchange can be efficiently performed with the ground surface. The heat exchange unit 73 is a substance having a high heat transfer coefficient, and can efficiently exchange heat by attaching it to the back surface of the lid 74 or by integrating it with the metal lid 74.
　第１熱交換部７１の熱を熱伝達部７３で第２熱交換部７２に具備された熱電素子に伝達する、又は第２熱交換部７２の熱を熱伝達部７３で第１熱交換部７１に具備された熱電素子に伝達する。これにより地表付近温度と、水温との温度差を利用した熱電変換が可能となる。水温はほぼ安定しており、一方の外気温は、天気、季節、昼夜などの環境変化で大きく変化し、水温との温度差が生じやすい。この温度差を利用して電力を発生し、流量発信装置３０または流量受信装置４０に供給する。 The heat of the first heat exchange unit 71 is transferred to the thermoelectric element provided in the second heat exchange unit 72 by the heat transfer unit 73, or the heat of the second heat exchange unit 72 is transferred to the first heat exchange unit by the heat transfer unit 73. It is transmitted to the thermoelectric element provided in 71. This enables thermoelectric conversion using the temperature difference between the temperature near the surface of the earth and the water temperature. The water temperature is almost stable, while the outside air temperature changes greatly due to environmental changes such as weather, seasons, and day and night, and a temperature difference from the water temperature is likely to occur. Electric power is generated by utilizing this temperature difference and is supplied to the flow rate transmitting device 30 or the flow rate receiving device 40.
　発電器として水力発電装置を用いてもよい。水力発電装置には、水道管の水中に水流を電力に変換するタービン発電機を利用することができる。また、流量計として羽車式が使われている場合、その羽車式を共用し、その回転軸の回転を歯車等で発電モータに伝えてもよい。また、水力発電装置は、水流に負荷を与え、水道の送出ポンプへの負荷、または、蛇口水圧を低下させることとなる。そのため、水圧低下などの発電効率低下の際には、発電を停止することができる。また、蓄電池に十分に電荷が充電された際には、発電を停止することができる。 A hydroelectric power generator may be used as the generator. As the hydroelectric power generator, a turbine generator that converts a water flow into electric power in the water of a water pipe can be used. When an impeller type is used as the flow meter, the impeller type may be shared and the rotation of the rotating shaft may be transmitted to the power generation motor by a gear or the like. Further, the hydroelectric power generation device applies a load to the water flow, and reduces the load on the water delivery pump or the faucet water pressure. Therefore, when the power generation efficiency is lowered such as the water pressure is lowered, the power generation can be stopped. Further, when the storage battery is sufficiently charged, the power generation can be stopped.
（効果）
　本検針システムは、水道管や水道管の水を音波信号の通信媒体とすることで、無線／有線の回線が物理的に利用しにくい場所での自動検針を行うことができる。例えば、本検針システムは、有線／無線の回線が利用しやすい場所まで、流量などの情報を伝達することができる。また、電力供給が困難な場合、本検針システムは、発電器および蓄電池を備えることとで継続的に動作させることができる。 (effect)
This meter reading system uses water pipes and water from water pipes as a communication medium for sound wave signals, so that automatic meter reading can be performed in places where wireless / wired lines are physically difficult to use. For example, this meter reading system can transmit information such as a flow rate to a place where a wired / wireless line is easily available. Further, when it is difficult to supply electric power, the meter reading system can be continuously operated by providing a generator and a storage battery.
　本発明に係る通信システムは、家庭や事業所に設置された水道の流量計の検針および水道管および水道水の品質測定に適用することができる。 The communication system according to the present invention can be applied to meter reading of water flow meters installed in homes and business establishments and quality measurement of water pipes and tap water.
１０：センタ端末
１１：流量計
１２：読取／制御部
１３：発信部
１４：受信部
２０：センタ装置
２２：制御／出力部
２３：発信部
２４：受信部
３０：流量発信装置
４０：流量受信装置
５０：水道管
６０：回線
７０：熱電変換装置
７１：第１熱交換部
７２：第２熱交換部
７３：熱交換部
７４：蓋
３０１～３０５：検針システム 10: Center terminal 11: Flow meter 12: Reading / control unit 13: Transmission unit 14: Reception unit 20: Center device 22: Control / output unit 23: Transmission unit 24: Reception unit 30: Flow transmission device 40: Flow reception device 50: Water pipe 60: Line 70: Thermoelectric converter 71: First heat exchange unit 72: Second heat exchange unit 73: Heat exchange unit 74: Lid 301 to 305: Meter reading system

Claims (6)

  1. 　敷設された配管又は前記配管内の流体に対して音波を送信する送信器と、
    　前記配管又は前記流体を伝搬する前記音波を受信する受信器と、
    を備える通信システム。     A transmitter that transmits sound waves to the laid pipe or the fluid in the pipe,
    A receiver that receives the sound wave propagating in the pipe or the fluid, and
    Communication system including.
  2. 　前記流体に関する物理量を測定する測定器をさらに備え、
    　前記送信器は、前記測定器が測定した前記物理量を任意の変調方式で変調して前記音波を生成すること
    を特徴とする請求項１に記載の通信システム。     Further equipped with a measuring instrument for measuring a physical quantity related to the fluid,
    The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter modulates the physical quantity measured by the measuring instrument by an arbitrary modulation method to generate the sound wave.
  3. 　前記音波以外の媒体で前記受信器と通信し、前記受信器から前記音波の情報を収集する管理装置をさらに備えることを特徴とする請求項１又は２に記載の通信システム。 The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a management device that communicates with the receiver by a medium other than the sound wave and collects information on the sound wave from the receiver.
  4. 　前記流体の物理量で発電し、前記送信器と前記受信器の少なくとも一方に電力を供給する発電器をさらに備えることを特徴とする請求項１から３のいずれかに記載の通信システム。 The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a generator that generates electric power with a physical quantity of the fluid and supplies electric power to at least one of the transmitter and the receiver.
  5. 　敷設された配管内の流体の物理量を測定する測定器と、
    　前記測定器が測定した前記物理量を任意の変調方式で変調して音波を生成し、前記配管又は前記流体に対して前記音波を送信する送信器と、
    を備える発信装置。     A measuring instrument that measures the physical quantity of fluid in the laid pipe,
    A transmitter that modulates the physical quantity measured by the measuring instrument by an arbitrary modulation method to generate a sound wave, and transmits the sound wave to the pipe or the fluid.
    A transmitter equipped with.
  6. 　敷設された配管又は前記配管内の流体に対して音波を送信すること、及び
    　前記配管又は前記流体を伝搬する前記音波を受信すること、
    を行う通信方法。     To transmit sound waves to the laid pipe or the fluid in the pipe, and to receive the sound waves propagating in the pipe or the fluid.
    Communication method to do.
PCT/JP2020/018027 2020-04-27 2020-04-27 Communication system, transmission device, and communication method WO2021220370A1 (en)

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS56105199U (en) * 1979-12-31 1981-08-17
JPH05252578A (en) * 1992-03-03 1993-09-28 Toyo Keiki Kk Communication system
CN103944648A (en) * 2014-05-09 2014-07-23 北京纳衡仪器仪表有限公司 System device and method based on pipeline sound wave communication
KR101721099B1 (en) * 2015-11-10 2017-03-30 주식회사 아이콘트롤스 Freeze protection and wireless flowmeter using self power
CN210129284U (en) * 2019-06-03 2020-03-06 山东农业工程学院 Self-power-generation remote meter reading system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS56105199U (en) * 1979-12-31 1981-08-17
JPH05252578A (en) * 1992-03-03 1993-09-28 Toyo Keiki Kk Communication system
CN103944648A (en) * 2014-05-09 2014-07-23 北京纳衡仪器仪表有限公司 System device and method based on pipeline sound wave communication
KR101721099B1 (en) * 2015-11-10 2017-03-30 주식회사 아이콘트롤스 Freeze protection and wireless flowmeter using self power
CN210129284U (en) * 2019-06-03 2020-03-06 山东农业工程学院 Self-power-generation remote meter reading system

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