Water meter

Abstract

To provide a water meter capable of communicating with the outside and transmitting integrated flow rate data to the outside via a route A, an I0T route, or a route B.SOLUTION: A water meter includes flow rate measuring means for electrically measuring the flow rate of water flowing in a flow path, and communication means for transmitting the measured integrated flow rate data of water to the outside via wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) standard or wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity (R)) standard, and receiving a signal from the outside. The communication means is switchable between wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN HAN (Home Area Network) or Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN (Home Area Network) standard, and wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN FAN (Field Area Network) standard.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water meter. [Background technology]

[0002] A water meter is known that has a lower case having an impeller that rotates due to inflow water, and an upper case having an indication unit mounted on the lower case and measuring and displaying the flow rate based on the rotation of the impeller, the indication unit having a unit board incorporated into the upper case, and the unit board having a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the impeller, a control unit that calculates the flow rate based on the rotation speed of the impeller detected by the rotation detection unit, a measurement display unit that displays the flow rate value calculated by the control unit, an external output unit that transmits the flow rate value to the outside, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the rotation detection unit, the control unit, the measurement display unit and the external output unit (Patent Document 1).

[0003] A smart meter communication device is also known which includes a smart meter communication unit having a communication module that communicates with a smart meter equipped with a power measurement function and a Wi-SUN (registered trademark) communication function, a data transmission unit that outputs power usage data obtained by communicating with the smart meter, a Wi-Fi communication unit for inputting the smart meter's ID and password from an external device, a communication control unit that controls the communication, and a communication operation unit that transitions the Wi-Fi communication unit from an off state to an on state, and which, when the communication control unit receives information about the smart meter's ID and password transmitted from an external device via the Wi-Fi communication unit that has been transitioned to the on state by operation of the communication operation unit, registers the information and initiates Wi-SUN (registered trademark) communication with the smart meter (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-179325 [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-106599 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention provides a water meter capable of Wi-SUN communication with the outside and capable of transmitting integrated flow rate data to the outside via route A, IoT route, or route B. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the water meter according to claim 1 comprises: a flow rate measuring means for electrically measuring a flow rate of water flowing through the flow path; A communication means for transmitting the measured water flow rate integrated data to the outside via wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) standard or wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity registered trademark) standard and receiving a signal from the outside. It is characterized by:

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is the water meter described in claim 1, The communication means is switchable between wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN HAN (Home Area Network) or Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN (Home Area Network) standard and wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN FAN (Field Area Network) standard. It is characterized by:

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is the water meter described in claim 1, The communication means transmits the flow rate integrated data to the outside via a gateway device or an EMS (Energy Management System) device having a wireless communication function conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) standard. It is characterized by:

[0009] The invention as set forth in claim 4 is the water meter as set forth in claim 1, The communication means transmits the flow rate integrated data to an outside via a multi-hop mesh network including at least one power meter. It is characterized by:

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is the water meter described in claim 1, The flow rate measuring means integrates the water flow rate data based on a rotation speed of a rotor that rotates according to the water flow rate. It is characterized by:

[0011] The invention as recited in claim 6 is the water meter as recited in claim 1, The flow rate measuring means amplifies the signal output from the magnetic sensor, shapes the waveform, and processes the shaped detection signal to integrate the water flow rate data. It is characterized by:

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is the water meter described in claim 1, The flow rate measuring means generates a magnetic field in the water flow path by an excitation coil, generates an electromotive force according to the water flow rate from a pair of electrodes arranged at opposing positions on the outer periphery of the flow path, and integrates the water flow rate data. It is characterized by:

[0013] The invention as recited in claim 8 is the water meter as recited in claim 1, The flow rate measuring means disposes a pair of ultrasonic transducers at the upstream and downstream of the water flow path with the transducers offset from each other, transmits and receives ultrasonic waves from both the transducers, and calculates the flow rate of the water from the difference in propagation time of the ultrasonic waves. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 1, the flow rate integrated data can be transmitted to the outside via Wi-SUN communication or Wi-Fi communication.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to switch and transmit a Wi-SUN communication profile between two systems, route A, IoT route, and route B.

[0016] According to the invention as recited in claim 3, the flow rate integrated data can be transmitted to the outside via route B.

[0017] According to the invention as recited in claim 4, the flow rate integrated data can be transmitted to the outside in a multi-hop manner without going through an outdoor repeater.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 5, the integrated water flow rate data calculated based on the rotation speed of the rotor that rotates according to the water flow rate can be transmitted to a cloud device.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 6, the signal output from the magnetic sensor can be amplified, waveform shaped, the shaped detection signal can be processed, and the calculated integrated water flow rate data can be transmitted to a cloud device.

[0020] According to the invention described in claim 7, a magnetic field is generated within the water flow path by an excitation coil, and an electromotive force corresponding to the water flow rate is generated from a pair of electrodes arranged at opposing positions on the outer periphery of the flow path, and the calculated integrated water flow rate data can be transmitted to a cloud device.

[0021] According to the invention described in claim 8, a pair of ultrasonic transducers are arranged at staggered positions in the upstream and downstream parts of the water flow path, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received from both ultrasonic transducers to each other, and integrated water flow rate data calculated from the difference in ultrasonic propagation time can be transmitted to a cloud device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a functional block diagram showing an overall configuration of a water meter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a flow rate measuring unit of the water meter according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic plan view showing the indication unit of a water meter, FIG. 1(b) is a diagram explaining flow rate measurement using a rotating indicator on the indication unit, and FIG. 1(c) is a diagram explaining flow rate measurement using a 1 liter needle or a 10 liter needle. [Figure 4] FIG. 1A is a diagram explaining Wi-SUN HAN, Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN or Wi-SUN FAN communication on route B, and FIG. 1B is a diagram explaining Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN or Wi-SUN FAN communication on route A and IoT route. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing the process flow of measuring flow rate and transmitting integrated flow rate data in the water meter according to the present embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Next, specific examples of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In the following explanation using the drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratios of the dimensions, etc. may differ from the actual ones, and in order to facilitate understanding, illustrations other than those of components necessary for the explanation have been omitted as appropriate.

[0024] (1) Water meter configuration FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the overall configuration of a water meter 1 according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing an example of a flow measurement unit 100 of a water meter 1 according to this embodiment, FIG. 3(a) is a schematic plan view showing an indication unit 30 of the water meter 1, (b) is a diagram explaining flow measurement using a rotating indicator 36 in the indication unit 30, (c) is a diagram explaining flow measurement using a 1 liter needle 37 or a 10 liter needle 38, FIG. 4(a) is a diagram explaining Wi-SUN HAN, Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN or Wi-SUN FAN communication on route B, and (b) is a diagram explaining Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN or Wi-SUN FAN communication on route A and the IoT route. The overall configuration and operation of the water meter 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0025] (1.1) Overall configuration of water meter 1, the water meter 1 includes a flow measurement unit 100 as an example of a flow measurement means for electrically measuring the flow rate of water flowing through a flow path, a communication unit 200 as an example of a communication means for transmitting integrated data of the measured water flow rate to the outside via wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) standard and receiving signals from the outside, a meter storage unit 300 for storing information used for various processes of the water meter 1, and a meter control unit 400 for comprehensively controlling the operation of the water meter 1, and performs two-system communication using Wi-SUN communication: an IoT route or route A for communication with a power meter, and a route B for communication with a gateway device or an EMS (Energy Management System) device. Here, examples of the EMS (Energy Management System) include a HEMS (Home Energy Management System), a MEMS (Mansion Energy Management System), a BEMS (Building Energy Management System), a FEMS (Factory Energy Management System), and a CEMS (Cluster / Community Energy Management System) depending on the object to be managed. HEMS is for homes, MEMS is for apartment buildings, BEMS is for commercial buildings, FEMS is for factories, and CEMS is for the entire region that includes all of the above.

[0026] (1.2) Flow Meter 2, the flow rate measuring section 100 of the water meter 1 has a lower case 10 with an inlet 11 and an outlet 12 formed at both ends, and an inner case 20 is housed within the lower case 10. A plurality of inlet nozzles 21 and outlet nozzles 22 are provided in the inner case 20, and an impeller support member 23 is erected in the center of the inner bottom of the inner case 20. An impeller 24 having a magnet M1 at the upper shaft portion is rotatably supported by the impeller support member 23.

[0027] An indication unit 30 is provided above the impeller 24 via a gasket G1. The indication unit 30 is composed of a register box 31, a lower base plate 32, an upper base plate 33, a magnetic gear 34 to which a magnet M2 is attached, a gear train 35, a rotation indicator 36, a 1 liter hand 37, a 10 liter hand 38, a number wheel 39, and a glass plate 40 attached via an O-ring S1. The magnet M2 of the magnetic gear 34 and the drive-side magnet M1 of the impeller 24 face each other and are magnetically coupled (magnetically coupled).

[0028] The upper surface of the rotating index 36 is a light reflecting surface 36a in the shape of a regular polygonal pyramid (octahedron) as shown in Fig. 3. When the water supply is in use, the flow rate can be measured from the integrated number of rotations of the rotating index 36 by detecting the number of changes in the reflection angle of light projected from a fixed position onto the light reflecting surface 36a of the rotating index 36.

[0029] 3(b), a magnet 41 having a north pole and a south pole may be attached to the back surface of the rotating index 36, and magnetic sensors 42 and 43 may be disposed above the rotating index 36 to output a detection signal corresponding to a change in the magnetic field based on the rotation of the rotating index 36. The output detection signal is processed and integrated to measure the integrated value of the flow rate.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(c), multiple magnets 37a, 38a may be attached to the 1 liter needle 37 or 10 liter needle 38, and two magnetic sensors 44 may detect signals that are 90° out of phase with each other and are generated as the 1 liter needle 37 or 10 liter needle 38 rotate, to calculate the integrated flow rate. The flow rate integrated data obtained by integrating the measured water flow rate is stored in the meter storage unit 300 in association with the measurement time.

[0031] (1.3) Communications Department The communication unit 200 has a communication module having a wireless communication function conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network, registered trademark) standard, and is configured to be switchable between wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN HAN (Home Area Network) or Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN (Home Area Network) standard and wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN FAN (Field Area Network) standard. As a result, the communication unit 200 switches between the above-mentioned A route, IoT route, and B route, and performs Wi-SUN communication with the power meter (A route, IoT route), or a gateway device or EMS device (B route), to transmit flow rate integrated data.

[0032] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the communication unit 200 performs wireless communication (route B) with a HEMS-GW (Home Energy Management System gateway), which is an example of an EMS (Energy Management System) device, in compliance with the Wi-SUN HAN (Home Area Network), Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN or Wi-SUN FAN standard, and transmits the accumulated water flow rate data retrieved from the meter memory unit 300. In addition, as shown in Figure 4 (b), the communication unit 200 performs wireless communication with the power meters that form the multi-hop mesh network in accordance with the Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN or Wi-SUN FAN (Field Area Network) standard (route A, IoT route), and transmits the accumulated water flow rate data retrieved from the meter memory unit 300.

[0033] (1.4) Meter memory section The meter storage unit 300 stores information used for various processes of the water meter 1. Specifically, the meter storage unit 300 stores, for example, measurement information in which integrated water flow rate data measured by the flow measurement unit 100 is associated with the measurement time. The meter storage unit 300 also stores integrated water flow rate data for each predetermined time interval, such as every 30 minutes, and integrated flow rate information in which the integrated water flow rate data is associated with the measurement date and measurement time.

[0034] (1.5) Meter control section The meter control unit 400 is a processor including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and performs overall control of the water meter 1. The meter control unit 400 acquires integrated flow rate data of water measured by the flow measurement unit 100 and time information, and stores the integrated flow rate data and the time information in the meter storage unit 300 in association with each other. Furthermore, the meter control unit 400 calculates, for example, flow rate integrated data for every 30 minutes, and stores this flow rate integrated data and integrated flow rate information associated with the measurement date and measurement time in the meter storage unit 300. Furthermore, the meter control unit 400 controls communication with the power meter via the above-mentioned route A and IoT route via the communication unit 200, and also controls communication with the gateway device or the EMS device via route B. The meter control unit 400 notifies the gateway device or the EMS device of an 8-bit property value notification message including, for example, the measurement date, the measurement time (time information in hours, minutes, and seconds), and the integrated amount of flow rate via route B every 30 minutes.

[0035] (2) Operation of water meters FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing for measuring flow rate in the water meter 1 and transmitting integrated flow rate data. The water meter 1 of this embodiment performs a measurement process to electrically measure the flow rate of water flowing through a flow path, and a communication process to transmit the integrated data of the measured water flow rate to the outside via wireless communication compliant with the Wi-SUN standard.

[0036] (Measurement processing) When the meter control unit 400 is started, the water meter 1 first clears the flow rate integrated data, and starts processing by reading the date and time from the timer of the processor of the meter control unit 400 (S101).

[0037] When water is consumed, the impeller 24, which is rotatably supported in the inner case 20 of the water meter 1, rotates, and the rotation indicator 36 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the impeller 24. At this time, the magnetic sensors 32 and 33 output detection signals in response to the rotation of the rotation indicator 36 (see FIG. 4). When a plurality of magnets 37a, 38a are attached to the 1 liter hand 37 or the 10 liter hand 38, two magnetic sensors 43, 43 output detection signals.

[0038] First, inputs from the magnetic sensors 42, 43 are read (S102), and it is determined whether the impeller 24 is rotating based on the detection signals output from the magnetic sensors 42, 43 (S103). If the impeller 24 is rotating (S103; Yes), it is determined whether it is rotating forward or not (S104). If the impeller 24 is rotating forward (S104; Yes), the flow rate is increased (S105), and if it is rotating reversely (S104; No), the flow rate is decreased (S106). Whether it is rotating forward or reverse is determined based on the phase difference between the detection signals output from the magnetic sensors 42 and 43.

[0039] Next, the added or subtracted value is stored in the meter storage unit 300 (S107), and the next communication process is executed. On the other hand, if the impeller 24 is not rotating (S103; No), the process returns to step S102.

[0040] In the communication process, a timer interrupt process is executed at predetermined time intervals to receive a transmission request from a gateway device or an EMS device (S108). If the timer interrupt is not confirmed as a transmission request (S108; No), the process returns to step S102 of the measurement process. If the timer interrupt is confirmed (S108; Yes), the communication process is executed.

[0041] (Communication processing) In the communication process (S109), the accumulated water flow rate data is retrieved from the meter memory unit 300, and the accumulated flow rate data is transmitted to a gateway device or an EMS device in a predetermined message format via wireless communication compliant with the Wi-SUN HAN, Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN, or Wi-SUN FAN standard. The above describes communication on route B. On route A and IoT route, data is transmitted to power meters that form a multi-hop mesh network via wireless communication compliant with the Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN or Wi-SUN FAN standard.

[0042] In this way, according to the water meter 1 of this embodiment, the water flow rate accumulated data can be transmitted using Wi-SUN communication by switching between two Wi-SUN communication profiles: route A, which communicates with a power meter forming a multi-hop mesh network, or IoT route, and route B, which communicates with a gateway device or an EMS device.

[0043] In this embodiment, a water meter is described that includes a communication module having a wireless communication function conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network, registered trademark) standard and a communication unit 200 that transmits water flow rate integrated data retrieved from a meter storage unit 300, but the communication unit 200 may be configured as a WI-Fi module capable of wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, registered trademark) method conforming to the international standard IEEE802.11, which is a standard for short-distance wireless communication using wireless signals in frequency bands such as 920 MHz and 2.4 GHz. Through Wi-Fi communication, for example, the line-of-sight distance to an EMS device or a power meter can be up to 2.3 km, and the flow rate integrated data can be transmitted at a data transfer rate of up to 3.3 Mbps.

[0044] In addition, in this embodiment, a water meter has been described that is equipped with a flow measurement unit in which a magnet 41 having a north pole and a south pole is attached to the back surface of the rotating indicator 36, and magnetic sensors 42, 43 are arranged above the rotating indicator 36 to output a detection signal corresponding to the change in the magnetic field based on the rotation of the rotating indicator 36, and a flow measurement unit in which multiple magnets 37a, 38a are attached to the 1 liter needle 37 or the 10 liter needle 38, and the two magnetic sensors 43, 43 output detection signals that are 90° out of phase with each other as the 1 liter needle 37 or the 10 liter needle 38 rotates, but the flow measurement method of the water meter is not limited to this.

[0045] For example, the present invention can be applied to an electronic water meter in which a permanent magnet is attached to the tip of the shaft of the impeller 24 with its axial center position shifted, the magnetism of this permanent magnet is detected by a magnetic sensor, and the water flow rate is measured based on the magnetic detection signal output from the magnetic sensor, or to an electromagnetic water meter in which a magnetic field is generated by an excitation coil in the water flow path, and an electromotive force corresponding to the water flow rate is generated from a pair of electrodes arranged at opposing positions on the outer periphery of the flow path, and the water flow rate is calculated based on the excitation power source for the excitation coil and the electromotive force corresponding to the flow rate.

[0046] The present invention can also be applied to an ultrasonic water meter in which a pair of ultrasonic transducers are positioned staggered upstream and downstream of a water flow path, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received from both ultrasonic transducers to each other, and the water flow rate is calculated from the difference in propagation time of the ultrasonic waves. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Water meter 100 Flow rate measuring section 10 lower case, 20 inner case, 21 inlet nozzle, 22 outlet nozzle, 23 impeller support member, 24 impeller, 30 indication unit, 31 register box, 32 lower base plate, 33 upper base plate, 34 magnetic gear, 35 gear train, 36 rotation indicator, 37 1 liter hand, 38 10 liter hand 200 Communications Department 300 Meter memory section 400 Meter control unit A...Measuring room

Claims

1. a flow rate measuring means for electrically measuring a flow rate of water flowing through the flow path; A communication means for transmitting the measured water flow rate integrated data to the outside via wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) standard or wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity registered trademark) standard and receiving a signal from the outside.

2. A water meter comprising:

2. The communication means is switchable between wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN HAN (Home Area Network) or Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN (Home Area Network) standard and wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN FAN (Field Area Network) standard.

2. The water meter according to claim 1.

3. The communication means transmits the flow rate integrated data to the outside via a gateway device or an EMS (Energy Management System) device having a wireless communication function conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) standard.

2. The water meter according to claim 1.

4. The communication means transmits the flow rate integrated data to an outside via a multi-hop mesh network including at least one power meter.

2. The water meter according to claim 1.

5. The flow rate measuring means integrates the water flow rate data based on a rotation speed of a rotor that rotates according to the water flow rate.

2. The water meter according to claim 1.

6. The flow rate measuring means amplifies the signal output from the magnetic sensor, shapes the waveform, and processes the shaped detection signal to integrate the water flow rate data.

2. The water meter according to claim 1.

7. the flow rate measuring means generates a magnetic field in the water flow path by an excitation coil, generates an electromotive force according to the water flow rate from a pair of electrodes arranged at opposing positions on the outer periphery of the flow path, and integrates the water flow rate data.

2. The water meter according to claim 1.

8. The flow rate measuring means disposes a pair of ultrasonic transducers at the upstream and downstream portions of the water flow path with the transducers offset from each other, transmits and receives ultrasonic waves from both sides of the ultrasonic transducers, and calculates the flow rate of the water from the difference in propagation time of the ultrasonic waves.

2. The water meter according to claim 1.

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