Tank residual quantity detection system and tank residual quantity detection method

Abstract

To provide a tank residual quantity detection system and a tank residual quantity detection method capable of detecting a residual quantity of liquid within a tank without affecting an influence on constitution and operation of the existing system.SOLUTION: A tank residual quantity detection system detects a residual quantity of liquid stored within a tank. A pump for discharging liquid is connected with the tank, the pump performs a discharging operation in a prescribed period, and thereby is constituted so as to discharge liquid per unit discharge quantity at a prescribed period from the tank. The tank residual quantity detection system includes a sound collection sensor which collects sound around the tank and a server which receives sound data collected by the sound collection sensor. The server counts the number of discharge times of the pump from the time point when liquid is supplemented into the tank, from operation noise of the pump contained in the sound data. The server calculates a discharge quantity of the liquid on the basis of the number of counted discharged times and unit discharge quantity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a detection system and method for detecting the remaining amount of liquid in a tank. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-301622 (Patent Document 1) discloses a liquid injection device that uses a pump to discharge a liquid from a liquid storage tank. This liquid injection device includes a pipe-shaped liquid level measuring tank with a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the liquid storage tank, which is provided in the piping between the liquid storage tank and the pump, a liquid level gauge that continuously measures the liquid level in the liquid level measuring tank, an opening / closing valve provided in the piping, and a computing device.

[0003] In the above configuration, the arithmetic device calculates the storage volume of the chemical liquid storage tank from the measured value of the maximum height of the chemical liquid level in the liquid level measuring tank when the on-off valve is open. The arithmetic device also calculates the discharge volume of the pump from the rate of decrease in the chemical liquid level in the liquid level measuring tank when the on-off valve is open. Then, the arithmetic device issues an alarm when the discharge volume of the pump or the storage volume of the chemical liquid storage tank falls below a predetermined value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-301622 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the liquid injection device described in Patent Document 1, the liquid level in the liquid level measuring tank is measured by a level gauge, so that the storage amount of the liquid storage tank and the discharge amount of the pump can be managed. However, it is necessary to install a liquid level measuring tank and a level gauge in the piping between the liquid storage tank and the pump. Therefore, there is a concern that the system will become large and complicated by installing the liquid injection device described in Patent Document 1 in an existing liquid injection system. In addition, since it is necessary to modify the liquid storage tank and the pump and to stop the operation of peripheral devices including the pump in order to install the liquid injection device, there is a concern that the operation of the existing liquid injection system will be affected.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a tank remaining amount detection system and a tank remaining amount detection method that can detect the remaining amount of liquid in a tank without affecting the configuration and operation of existing systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The tank remaining amount detection system of the present disclosure detects the remaining amount of liquid stored in the tank. A pump for discharging the liquid is connected to the tank. The pump is configured to discharge a unit amount of liquid from the tank at a predetermined period by performing a discharge operation at a predetermined period. The tank remaining amount detection system includes a sound collection sensor that collects sounds around the tank, and a server that receives sound data collected by the sound collection sensor. The server counts the number of times the pump has discharged from the time the tank was refilled with liquid, based on the operation sound of the pump contained in the sound data. The server calculates the amount of liquid discharged based on the counted number of times the liquid has been discharged and the unit amount of liquid discharged.

[0008] The tank remaining amount detection method disclosed herein is a tank remaining amount detection method for detecting the remaining amount of liquid stored in a tank. A pump for discharging the liquid is connected to the tank. The pump is configured to discharge the liquid per unit discharge amount from the tank at a predetermined cycle by performing a discharge operation at a predetermined cycle. The tank remaining amount detection method includes a step of collecting sounds around the tank with a sound collection sensor, a step of receiving sound data collected by the sound collection sensor with a computer, a step of counting the number of discharges of the pump from the time the liquid was refilled into the tank from the operation sound of the pump included in the sound data, with the computer, and a step of calculating the discharge amount of the liquid based on the counted number of discharges and the unit discharge amount with the computer. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the remaining amount of liquid in a tank can be detected without affecting the configuration and operation of an existing system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a chemical liquid injection system to which a tank remaining amount detection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server. [Diagram 3] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a preparation process executed by a server. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram for explaining the process of generating an ejection sound model (S30 in FIG. 3). FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the process of generating a bell sound model (S40 in FIG. 3). [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram for explaining a process flow for setting a discharge threshold value. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a setting table. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a procedure of a remaining amount detection process. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a liquid medicine amount table shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a touch panel display of a user terminal. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a remaining amount detection process executed by a server. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a chemical liquid replenishment process executed by the server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and their description will not be repeated.

[0012] <Tank remaining amount detection system configuration> 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a liquid injection system to which a tank remaining amount detection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid injection system 100 includes a liquid injector 10, a server 20, a user terminal 30, a bell 4, and a noise sensor 5.

[0013] The chemical liquid injector 10 is a device for injecting a chemical liquid into tap water (water to be treated) supplied from a water pipe (not shown). The chemical liquid is, for example, a chemical liquid used to disinfect tap water. The chemical liquid corresponds to one embodiment of the "liquid".

[0014] The chemical liquid injection device 10 includes a chemical liquid tank 1, a pump 2, piping 3, and a housing 7. The chemical liquid tank 1 is a storage tank that stores the chemical liquid. The pump 2 is connected to the chemical liquid tank 1 via the piping 3. The pump 2 is a device for injecting the chemical liquid from the chemical liquid tank 1 into tap water. The pump 2 is a fixed-volume pump. Every time the pump 2 performs a discharge operation, a unit discharge amount of the chemical liquid is sucked from the chemical liquid tank 1, and this chemical liquid is discharged into the piping 3. The discharged chemical liquid is injected into the tap water via the pump 2.

[0015] The pump 2 is configured to perform a discharge operation at predetermined intervals (for example, every second). There are no particular limitations on the pump 2 as long as it can stably discharge a fixed amount of the liquid medicine, but a diaphragm pump that utilizes the electrostrictive properties of a thin plate-like piezoelectric material is preferably used. When performing a discharge operation, the piezoelectric material in the pump 2 vibrates, generating an operating sound of the pump 2. The operating sound of the pump 2 includes the discharge sound generated by the discharge operation.

[0016] The housing 7 houses the liquid chemical tank 1, the pump 2, and the piping 3. In the example of Fig. 1, the housing 7 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a door on the front or top surface. An administrator or the like who manages the liquid chemical injection system 100 can open this door to refill the liquid chemical tank 1 in the housing 7 with liquid chemicals, perform maintenance on the liquid chemical tank 1 and the pump 2, and the like.

[0017] The bell 4 and the noise sensor 5 are housed in the housing 7. The bell 4 is installed so that it can be operated by a manager who refills the liquid chemical tank 1 with the liquid chemical. For example, the bell 4 is installed in a position where the manager can operate the bell 4 when the door of the housing 7 is open. The bell 4 is configured to output a specific sound in response to the manager's operation. This specific sound is different in at least one of the volume and frequency from the operating sound (discharge sound) emitted by the pump 2 during the discharge operation. In the following description, the output sound of the bell 4 is also simply referred to as the "bell sound."

[0018] Bell 4 is used by the administrator to set a "discharge threshold." The "discharge threshold" is the upper limit of the allowable range of the discharge amount, and is a threshold for determining whether the remaining amount of liquid medicine in liquid medicine tank 1 is small or not. In this embodiment, the administrator operates bell 4 a number of times according to the value of the discharge threshold he / she wishes to set. Server 20 sets the discharge threshold based on the number of times the bell sound is output (hereinafter also referred to as "number of bell sounds"). The process of setting the discharge threshold will be explained in detail later.

[0019] The bell 4 corresponds to one embodiment of a "sound output device" that outputs a specific sound in response to an operation by an administrator. There are no particular limitations on the sound output device as long as it can output a specific sound. For example, the sound output device may be a buzzer that emits a specific sound.

[0020] The noise sensor 5 is a device for collecting sounds around the liquid tank 1. The noise sensor 5 can collect the operating sound (discharge sound) of the pump 2 and the output sound (bell sound) of the bell 4. The noise sensor 5 is provided with a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device transmits an ID for identifying the liquid injector 10, sound data collected by the noise sensor 5, and the like to the server 20 using a communication method conforming to a wireless communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution). The noise sensor 5 corresponds to one embodiment of a "sound collection sensor".

[0021] The server 20 is a computer that manages the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid tank 1 in the liquid injector 10. The server 20 is communicably connected to the noise sensor 5 and the user terminal 30 via a communication network NW such as the Internet. Specifically, the server 20 receives sound data from the noise sensor 5 via the communication network NW, and detects the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid tank 1 using the received sound data. If the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid tank 1 is small, the server 20 generates a signal (hereinafter also referred to as a "liquid refill signal") that prompts the user to refill the liquid tank 1 with the liquid, and transmits the generated liquid refill signal to the user terminal 30 via the communication network NW. The server 20 will be described in detail later.

[0022] The user terminal 30 is a communication terminal owned by an administrator or the like. In this embodiment, the user terminal 30 is a smartphone having a touch panel display. However, the user terminal 30 is not limited to a smartphone. For example, a laptop, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, etc. can also be used as the user terminal 30.

[0023] The user terminal 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the server 20 via the communication network NW. When the user terminal 30 receives a liquid chemical refill signal from the server 20, the user terminal 30 generates a message for urging the user to refill the liquid chemical tank 1 with the liquid chemical, and displays the generated message on the touch panel display.

[0024] <Server hardware configuration> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the server 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, an I / F (Interface) device 24, and a storage device 25. The CPU 21, the RAM 22, the ROM 23, the I / F device 24, and the storage device 25 exchange various data through a communication bus 26.

[0025] The CPU 21 loads a program stored in the ROM 23 into the RAM 22 and executes it. In the program stored in the ROM 23, processes to be executed by the server 20 are written.

[0026] The I / F device 24 is an input / output device for exchanging signals and data with the noise sensor 5 and the user terminal 30. The I / F device 24 receives sound data from the noise sensor 5 using a communication method conforming to a wireless communication standard such as LTE. The I / F device 24 also transmits a chemical solution replenishment signal to the user terminal 30.

[0027] The storage device 25 is a storage for storing various information, such as position information of the liquid injector 10. The storage device 25 also stores a sound data reception DB 40, a setting table 50, a liquid amount table 80, and trained models (a discharge sound model 60 and a bell sound model 70). The various data stored in the storage device 25 will be described in detail later. The storage device 25 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) or a solid state drive (SSD: Solid State Drive).

[0028] <Tank level detection system operation> Next, the operation of the tank remaining amount detection system according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0029] In the tank remaining amount detection system according to this embodiment, a preparation process (hereinafter also referred to as "preparation process") for executing a process for detecting the remaining amount in the liquid tank 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "remaining amount detection process") is executed first. Then, after this preparation process is completed, the remaining amount detection process is executed. After a liquid refill signal is transmitted to the user terminal 30 in this remaining amount detection process, a process for refilling the liquid tank 1 with liquid (hereinafter also referred to as "liquid refill process") is executed. Note that the liquid refill process may be executed in parallel with the remaining amount detection process.

[0030] The preparation process, the remaining amount detection process, and the chemical refill process will be described below in order. (1) Preparation 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a preparation process executed by the server 20. A series of processes shown in this flowchart is executed when the chemical liquid injector 10 is installed or when the chemical liquid injector 10 is maintained.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, in the preparation process, first, in step (hereinafter, step will be abbreviated as "S") 10, the noise sensor 5 collects the operating sound of the pump 2 and the output sound of the bell 4. In S10, the manager (or the installer) operates the pump 2 to perform the discharge operation of the pump 2. This discharge operation is performed according to the discharge conditions set in advance. The discharge conditions include the number of discharges per minute (discharges / min) and the amount of chemical solution discharged by the discharge operation for one minute.

[0032] The manager further operates the bell 4 in accordance with preset operating conditions to output a specific sound (bell sound) from the bell 4. The operating conditions are based on operating conditions in the chemical solution replenishment process, and include an operating pattern of the bell 4.

[0033] Noise sensor 5 collects the operating sound (discharge sound) of pump 2 and the output sound (bell sound) of bell 4, and transmits the collected sound data to server 20. The sound data includes data on the operating sound of pump 2 (hereinafter also referred to as "discharge sound data") and data on the output sound of bell 4 (hereinafter also referred to as "bell sound data").

[0034] When the server 20 receives the sound data from the noise sensor 5 in S10, the server 20 stores the received sound data in the sound data reception DB 40 stored in the storage device 25 in S20.

[0035] Next, in S30, the server 20 generates a discharge sound model 60 for estimating the discharge operation of the pump 2 from the operating sound of the pump 2 by machine learning using the discharge sound data stored in the sound data reception DB 40. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the process (S30 in Fig. 3) of generating the discharge sound model 60. Fig. 4 shows the discharge sound data and a graph based on the discharge sound data.

[0036] The discharge sound data includes data on the time change in the volume (db) and frequency (Hz) of the operating sound of the pump 2. The graph shows a time waveform L1 of the volume of the operating sound of the pump 2 and a time waveform L2 of the frequency of the operating sound of the pump 2. The volume and frequency of the operating sound vary periodically in accordance with the periodic discharge operation of the pump 2.

[0037] The server 20 generates a discharge sound model 60 by executing machine learning (supervised learning) using the operating sound (volume and frequency) of the pump 2 in response to the discharge operation of the pump 2 as teacher data. The supervised learning in S30 refers to a method of providing a learning device with a set of discharge sound data and data (discharge conditions) related to the discharge operation of the pump 2, learning features of the learning data, and inferring the discharge operation from the discharge sound data. The discharge sound model 60 corresponds to one embodiment of the "first model". The discharge sound model 60 is stored in the storage device 25 of the server 20.

[0038] Returning to Fig. 3, in S40, the server 20 generates a bell sound model 70 for estimating the number of times a bell sound is output (hereinafter also referred to as "number of bell sounds") from a bell sound through machine learning using the bell sound data stored in the sound data reception DB 40. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the process (S40 in Fig. 3) of generating the bell sound model 70. Fig. 5 shows the bell sound data and a graph based on the bell sound data.

[0039] The bell sound data includes data on the change over time in the volume (db) and frequency (Hz) of the bell sound. Because the bell 4 was operated while the pump 2 was discharging, the bell sound data further includes data on the change over time in the volume (db) and frequency (Hz) of the operating sound of the pump 2.

[0040] The graph shows a time waveform L1 of the volume of the operation sound of the pump 2, a time waveform L2 of the frequency of the operation sound, a time waveform L3 of the volume of the bell sound, and a time waveform L4 of the frequency of the bell sound. When the bell 4 is not operated, the volume and frequency of the bell sound are approximately constant. When the bell 4 is operated, both the volume and frequency of the bell sound temporarily increase and decrease.

[0041] Server 20 generates bell sound model 70 by performing machine learning (supervised learning) using the bell sound (volume and frequency) in response to the operation of bell 4 as teaching data. The supervised learning in S40 refers to a method of providing a learning device with a set of bell sound data and data related to the operation of bell 4 (operation conditions), thereby learning features of the learning data and inferring the operation content of bell 4 from the bell sound data. Bell sound model 70 corresponds to one embodiment of the "second model".

[0042] The bell sound model 70 is generated for each discharge threshold. In this embodiment, a plurality of types of discharge thresholds can be set based on the capacity of the liquid tank 1 and the unit refill amount of the liquid to be refilled into the liquid tank 1. For example, when the capacity of the liquid tank 1 is 120 L and the unit refill amount is 10 L, a total of 12 discharge thresholds can be set in increments of 10 L, such as 10 L, 20 L, 30 L, . . . 120 L. Then, 12 bell sound models 70 are generated corresponding to these 12 discharge thresholds. FIG. 5 shows a process of generating a bell sound model 70 corresponding to a discharge threshold of 30 L.

[0043] In this embodiment, the operation conditions of the bell 4 for setting the discharge threshold are set in advance. When the manager refills the liquid chemical tank 1 with the liquid chemical, the manager can set the discharge threshold by operating the bell 4 according to the operation conditions. Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the process for setting the discharge threshold.

[0044] 6, the administrator first rings the bell 4 a predetermined number of times (e.g., twice) within a predetermined time period (e.g., three seconds). This operation serves as a signal to inform the server 20 that setting of the discharge threshold value is to begin.

[0045] Next, the manager rings the bell 4 n times after a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed since the last (second) ring of the bell 4. This number of times the bell rings, n, corresponds to the value obtained by dividing the discharge threshold value the manager wishes to set by the unit refill amount. For example, if the discharge threshold value to be set is 30 L and the unit refill amount is 10 L, then n is 30 / 10=3. If the discharge threshold value to be set is 120 L, then n is 120 / 10=12. If the capacity of the liquid chemical tank 1 is 120 L and the unit refill amount is 10 L, then n is an integer between 1 and 12.

[0046] The noise sensor 5 collects bell sounds and transmits the collected sound data to the server 20. The server 20 counts the number of bell sounds n from the bell sound data included in the sound data, and calculates the discharge threshold by multiplying the counted number of bell sounds n by the unit replenishment amount 10 L.

[0047] 5 is used by server 20 to count n ring counts from bell sound data. Therefore, in S40, bell sound data corresponding to each ring count is acquired so that all n ring counts that the administrator can select can be counted, and machine learning is performed using the acquired bell sound data to generate bell sound model 70. The generated multiple bell sound models 70 are stored in storage device 25 of server 20.

[0048] Returning to FIG. 3, the server 20 records the discharge conditions of the pump 2 in the setting table 50 in S50. In S50, the server 20 records the number of discharges per minute (number of discharges / min) and the discharge amount per minute in the "number of discharges setting" and "discharge amount setting" columns of the setting table 50, respectively. In addition, the server 20 records the discharge threshold in the "discharge threshold" column of the setting table 50 in S60. Furthermore, the server 20 records the capacity of the liquid tank 1 in the "tank capacity" column of the setting table 50 in S70.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the setting table 50. The setting table 50 is created for each liquid injector 10 and stored in the storage device 25 of the server 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the setting table 50 includes data on the discharge conditions of the pump 2, the discharge threshold, and the capacity (tank capacity) of the liquid tank 1. The discharge conditions of the pump 2 include the number of discharges per minute (times / min) and the discharge amount per minute. The discharge conditions, the discharge threshold, and the tank capacity are set in advance by an administrator and input to the server 20. The server 20 records the discharge conditions, the discharge threshold, and the tank capacity input by the administrator in the setting table 50. The administrator can update the discharge threshold according to the refill amount of the liquid in the liquid refill process described later.

[0050] (2) Remaining amount detection process Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the procedure of the remaining amount detection process. As shown in Fig. 8, the remaining amount detection process is executed using sound data from the noise sensor 5, and the setting table 50 and the discharge sound model 60 generated in the preparation process.

[0051] The sound data from the noise sensor 5 is stored in the sound data reception DB 40. The sound data includes discharge sound data 42 (FIG. 4). The server 20 counts the number of occurrences of the discharge sound of the pump 2 from the discharge sound data 42 using the discharge sound model 60. Specifically, by inputting the discharge sound data 42 to the discharge sound model 60, the number of occurrences of the discharge sound can be output from the discharge sound data 42. The number of occurrences of the discharge sound corresponds to the number of discharges of the pump 2. The server 20 records the counted number of occurrences of the discharge sound in the liquid medicine amount table 80.

[0052] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the liquid medicine amount table 80 shown in Fig. 8. The liquid medicine amount table 80 is created for each liquid medicine injector 10, and includes data on the performance of the liquid medicine discharge operation by the pump 2. As shown in Fig. 8, the liquid medicine amount table 80 includes data on the number of occurrences of the discharge sound of the pump 2 (number of discharges of the pump 2) counted from the discharge sound data 42, and data on the liquid medicine discharge amount.

[0053] The number of discharges of the pump 2 is the total number of discharges since the liquid chemical was refilled into the liquid chemical tank 1. Therefore, when the liquid chemical is refilled into the liquid chemical tank 1 by the liquid chemical refilling process described later, the number of discharges is reset to 0.

[0054] The liquid medicine discharge amount is calculated using the number of discharges of the pump 2 and the discharge conditions recorded in the setting table 50. For example, if the number of discharges is "86,400 times", the number of discharges per minute is "60 times / min", and the discharge amount per minute is "4 mL / min", the discharge amount per discharge operation (hereinafter also referred to as "unit discharge amount") 0.004 / 60 (L / time) is multiplied by the number of discharges 86,400 times to obtain a discharge amount of 5.76 L. This obtained discharge amount is recorded in the liquid medicine amount table 80.

[0055] During the operation of the pump 2, the liquid medicine amount table 80 is updated. As the number of discharges of the pump 2 increases, the liquid medicine discharge amount also increases, so the remaining amount of the liquid medicine in the liquid medicine tank 1 decreases. The server 20 judges whether the remaining amount of the liquid medicine in the liquid medicine tank 1 is small or not by comparing the liquid medicine discharge amount recorded in the liquid medicine amount table 80 with the discharge threshold recorded in the setting table 50 (FIG. 7) at predetermined intervals (for example, every hour). If the liquid medicine discharge amount is less than the discharge threshold, the server 20 judges that the remaining amount of the liquid medicine in the liquid medicine tank 1 is not small and therefore it is not necessary to replenish the liquid medicine. On the other hand, if the liquid medicine discharge amount is equal to or greater than the discharge threshold, the server 20 judges that the remaining amount of the liquid medicine in the liquid medicine tank 1 is small and therefore it is necessary to replenish the liquid medicine. In the example of FIG. 9, the liquid medicine discharge amount is 5.76 L, which is less than the discharge threshold 80 L, so it is judged that the remaining amount of the liquid medicine is not small.

[0056] When the amount of liquid medicine discharged exceeds the discharge threshold 80L, the server 20 generates a liquid medicine refill signal and transmits it to the user terminal 30. The liquid medicine refill signal includes information that the amount of liquid medicine discharged exceeds the discharge threshold, and information regarding the time when this excess was detected and the amount of liquid medicine discharged at the detection time.

[0057] When the user terminal 30 receives the liquid chemical refill signal from the server 20, the user terminal 30 displays the received liquid chemical refill signal on an app, thereby urging the administrator to refill the liquid chemical tank 1 with liquid chemical. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the touch panel display of the user terminal 30. As shown in FIG. 10, a message 32 generated based on the liquid chemical refill signal is displayed on the touch panel display. From the message 32, the administrator can know the time when it was detected that the liquid chemical discharge amount exceeded the discharge threshold value, and the liquid chemical discharge amount since the previous time the liquid chemical was refilled.

[0058] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the remaining amount detection process executed by the server 20. A series of processes shown in this flowchart is executed while the chemical liquid injector 10 is in operation. The processes shown in S110 to S150 are executed continuously. The processes shown in S160 and S170 are executed at a predetermined cycle (for example, every hour).

[0059] 11, in S110, the server 20 receives sound data from the noise sensor 5. In S120, the server 20 stores the received sound data in the sound data reception DB 40 (FIG. 7).

[0060] Next, in S130, the server 20 counts the number of occurrences of the discharge sound of the pump 2 (number of discharges) from the sound data stored in the sound data reception DB 40, using the discharge sound model 60. In S140, the server 20 records the counted number of occurrences of the discharge sound (number of discharges) in the “number of discharges” column of the liquid medicine amount table 80.

[0061] Next, in S150, the server 20 calculates the amount of liquid medicine discharged, using the number of discharges and the discharge conditions recorded in the setting table 50. The server 20 records the calculated amount of liquid medicine discharged in the “liquid medicine discharge amount” column of the liquid medicine amount table 80.

[0062] Next, in S160, the server 20 determines whether the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid tank 1 is small by comparing the value in the "discharge threshold" column of the setting table 50 with the value in the "liquid discharge amount" column of the liquid amount table 80.

[0063] In S170, if the liquid chemical discharge amount exceeds the discharge threshold, the server 20 generates a liquid chemical replenishment signal and transmits it to the user terminal 30. Upon receiving the liquid chemical replenishment signal from the server 20, the user terminal 30 displays the received liquid chemical replenishment signal on an app, thereby urging the administrator to replenish the liquid chemical tank 1 with the liquid chemical.

[0064] (3) Chemical solution replenishment In the liquid refill process, the liquid tank 1 is refilled with liquid by the administrator. In this refilling operation, the administrator can set the discharge threshold by operating the bell 4 according to predetermined operating conditions. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the administrator first sends a signal to the server 20 to start setting the discharge threshold by ringing the bell 4 a predetermined number of times (e.g., twice) within a predetermined time (e.g., three seconds) to the server 20. Next, the administrator rings the bell 4 n times after a predetermined time (e.g., three seconds) has elapsed since the last (second) ringing of the bell 4. The number of times the bell rings n corresponds to the value obtained by dividing the discharge threshold that the administrator wishes to set by the unit refill amount.

[0065] Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of a liquid medicine replenishment process executed by the server 20. A series of processes shown in this flowchart is executed when a liquid medicine replenishment signal is transmitted to the user terminal 30 in the remaining amount detection process (Fig. 11). During the execution of the liquid medicine replenishment process, the remaining amount detection process may be executed in parallel.

[0066] 12, in S210, the server 20 receives sound data from the noise sensor 5. In S220, the server 20 stores the received sound data in the sound data reception DB 40 (FIG. 7). The sound data includes the ejection sound data 42 and the bell sound data 44.

[0067] Next, in S230, the server 20 counts the number of ring sounds from the ring sound data stored in the sound data reception DB 40 using the ring sound model 70.

[0068] Next, the server 20 calculates the discharge threshold from the counted number of bell sounds in S240. In S240, the discharge threshold (n x 10 L) is calculated by multiplying the number of bell sounds n by a unit refill amount (e.g., 10 L). The server 20 updates the discharge threshold by recording the calculated discharge threshold in the "discharge threshold" column of the setting table 50 (FIG. 7).

[0069] Next, in S250, the server 20 resets the values ​​in the "Number of Discharges" column and the "Amount of Liquid Discharged" column of the liquid chemical amount table 80 (FIG. 9) to 0. As a result, in the remaining amount detection process (FIG. 11), the number of occurrences of the discharge sound of the pump 2 (number of discharges) from the time the liquid chemical was replenished is counted, and the amount of liquid chemical discharged is calculated.

[0070] As described above, according to the tank remaining amount detection system according to the present embodiment, by installing the noise sensor 5 for collecting sounds around the liquid tank 1, the server 20 can calculate the amount of liquid discharged by the pump 2 using sound data from the noise sensor 5. Therefore, the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid tank 1 can be detected without affecting the configuration and operation of the existing system.

[0071] Furthermore, by installing the bell 4 at a position where an administrator who refills the liquid chemical tank 1 can operate it, the server 20 can acquire the discharge threshold value set by the administrator from the bell sound data included in the sound data from the noise sensor 5. This allows the discharge threshold value to be set according to the amount of liquid chemical refilled into the liquid chemical tank 1 without affecting the configuration and operation of the existing system.

[0072] <Modification> In the above embodiment, the system configuration for detecting the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid tank 1 has been described, but the tank remaining amount detection system of the present disclosure can be applied to an apparatus equipped with a tank (storage tank) for storing liquid and a metering pump for discharging the liquid from the tank. By installing a sound collection sensor for collecting the operating sound of the metering pump, the amount of liquid discharged by the metering pump can be calculated using sound data from the sound collection sensor, and the remaining amount of liquid in the tank can be detected.

[0073] [Note] The above-described embodiment is a specific example of the following supplementary notes.

[0074] (Appendix 1) A tank remaining amount detection system for detecting a remaining amount of liquid stored in a tank, comprising: a pump for discharging the liquid is connected to the tank, and the pump is configured to discharge the liquid from the tank per unit discharge amount in a predetermined cycle by performing a discharge operation in the predetermined cycle; A sound collection sensor that collects sounds around the tank; A server that receives the sound data collected by the sound collection sensor, The server, Counting the number of times the pump has discharged the liquid from the time the liquid was refilled into the tank based on the operating sound of the pump included in the sound data; A tank remaining amount detection system that calculates the amount of liquid discharged based on the counted number of discharges and the unit discharge amount.

[0075] (Appendix 2) The tank remaining amount detection system described in Appendix 1, wherein the server counts the number of discharges from the sound data using a first model that has been machine-learned using the operating sound of the pump in response to the discharge operation of the pump as training data.

[0076] (Appendix 3) The server is in communication with a user terminal; The tank remaining amount detection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the server sends a signal to the user terminal prompting the user to replenish the liquid when the calculated discharge amount exceeds a predetermined discharge threshold.

[0077] (Appendix 4) a sound output device that is operable by a user who refills the tank with the liquid and that is configured to output a specific sound different from the operation sound of the pump in response to the user's operation; The server, Detecting an output sound of the sound output device included in the sound data; The tank remaining amount detection system according to claim 3, wherein the discharge threshold is calculated from the detected output sound by referring to a predetermined relationship between the output sound and the discharge threshold.

[0078] (Appendix 5) The tank remaining amount detection system described in Appendix 4, wherein the server detects the output sound from the sound data using a second model machine-learned using the output sound of the sound output device in response to the user's operation as training data.

[0079] (Appendix 6) the relationship includes a relationship between the number of times the output sound of the sound output device is output and the discharge threshold value, The server, Counting the number of times the output sound is output from the sound data; 6. The tank remaining amount detection system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the discharge threshold value is calculated from the counted number of outputs.

[0080] (Appendix 7) A method for detecting a remaining amount of liquid stored in a tank, comprising the steps of: a pump for discharging the liquid is connected to the tank, and the pump is configured to discharge the liquid from the tank per unit discharge amount in a predetermined cycle by performing a discharge operation in the predetermined cycle; Collecting sounds around the tank using a sound collection sensor; receiving, by a computer, the sound data collected by the sound collection sensor; a step of counting the number of times the pump has discharged the liquid from the time the liquid was refilled into the tank by the computer based on the operation sound of the pump included in the sound data; a step of calculating, by the computer, the amount of liquid discharged based on the counted number of discharges and the unit amount of liquid discharged.

[0081] (Appendix 8) The tank remaining amount detection method described in Appendix 7, wherein the step of counting the number of discharges includes a step of counting the number of discharges from the sound data using a first model that has been machine-trained using the operating sound of the pump in response to the discharge operation of the pump as teacher data.

[0082] (Appendix 9) The tank remaining amount detection method described in Appendix 7 or Appendix 8, further comprising a step of sending a signal from the computer to a user terminal to prompt refilling of the liquid when the calculated discharge amount exceeds a predetermined discharge threshold.

[0083] (Appendix 10) a sound output device operable by a user refilling the tank with the liquid is provided in the tank, the sound output device being configured to output a specific sound different from the operating sound of the pump in response to an operation by the user; detecting an output sound of the sound output device included in the sound data; The tank remaining amount detection method described in Appendix 9, further comprising a step of calculating the discharge threshold from the detected output sound by referring to a predetermined relationship between the output sound and the discharge threshold.

[0084] (Appendix 11) The tank remaining amount detection method described in Appendix 10, wherein the step of detecting the output sound includes a step of detecting the output sound from the sound data using a second model that has been machine-learned using the output sound of the sound output device in response to the user's operation as training data.

[0085] (Appendix 12) the relationship includes a relationship between the number of times the output sound of the sound output device is output and the discharge threshold value, The step of detecting the output sound includes a step of counting the number of times the output sound is output from the sound data, The tank remaining amount detection method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the step of calculating the discharge threshold value includes a step of calculating the discharge threshold value from the counted number of outputs.

[0086] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The technical scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 chemical tank, 2 pump, 3 piping, 4 bell, 5 noise sensor, 7 housing, 10 chemical injection device, 20 server, 21 CPU, 22 RAM, 23 ROM, 24 IF device, 25 storage device, 26 communication bus, 30 user terminal, 32 message, 40 sound data receiving DB, 42 discharge sound data, 44 bell sound data, 50 setting table, 60 discharge sound model, 70 bell sound model, 80 chemical amount table, 100 chemical injection system, NW communication network.

Claims

1. A tank remaining amount detection system for detecting a remaining amount of liquid stored in a tank, comprising: a pump for discharging the liquid is connected to the tank, and the pump is configured to discharge the liquid from the tank per unit discharge amount in a predetermined cycle by performing a discharge operation in the predetermined cycle; A sound collection sensor that collects sounds around the tank; A server that receives the sound data collected by the sound collection sensor, The server, Counting the number of times the pump has discharged the liquid from the time the liquid was refilled into the tank based on the operating sound of the pump included in the sound data; A tank remaining amount detection system that calculates the amount of liquid discharged based on the counted number of discharges and the unit discharge amount.

2. The tank remaining amount detection system according to claim 1 , wherein the server counts the number of discharges from the sound data using a first model that has been machine-trained using the operating sound of the pump in response to the discharge operation of the pump as training data.

3. The server is in communication with a user terminal; 3. The tank remaining amount detection system according to claim 1, wherein the server transmits a signal to the user terminal to prompt the user to replenish the liquid when the calculated discharge amount exceeds a predetermined discharge threshold value.

4. a sound output device that is operable by a user who refills the tank with the liquid and that is configured to output a specific sound different from the operation sound of the pump in response to the user's operation; The server, Detecting an output sound of the sound output device included in the sound data; The tank remaining amount detection system according to claim 3 , wherein the discharge threshold is calculated from the detected output sound by referring to a predetermined relationship between the output sound and the discharge threshold.

5. The tank remaining amount detection system according to claim 4 , wherein the server detects the output sound from the sound data using a second model that has been machine-trained using the output sound of the sound output device in response to the user's operation as training data.

6. the relationship includes a relationship between the number of times the output sound of the sound output device is output and the discharge threshold value, The server, Counting the number of times the output sound is output from the sound data; The tank remaining amount detection system according to claim 4 , wherein the discharge threshold value is calculated from the counted number of outputs.

7. A method for detecting a remaining amount of liquid stored in a tank, comprising the steps of: a pump for discharging the liquid is connected to the tank, and the pump is configured to discharge the liquid from the tank per unit discharge amount in a predetermined cycle by performing a discharge operation in the predetermined cycle; Collecting sounds around the tank using a sound collection sensor; receiving, by a computer, the sound data collected by the sound collection sensor; a step of counting the number of times the pump has discharged from the time the liquid was refilled into the tank by the computer based on the operation sound of the pump included in the sound data; a step of calculating an amount of the liquid to be discharged by the computer based on the counted number of discharges and the unit amount of the liquid to be discharged.

8. 8. The tank remaining amount detection method according to claim 7, wherein the step of counting the number of discharges includes a step of counting the number of discharges from the sound data using a first model that has been machine-trained using the operating sound of the pump in response to the discharge operation of the pump as teacher data.

9. 9. The tank remaining amount detection method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of transmitting a signal from the computer to a user terminal to prompt refilling of the liquid when the calculated discharge amount exceeds a predetermined discharge threshold value.

10. a sound output device operable by a user refilling the tank with the liquid is provided in the tank, the sound output device being configured to output a specific sound different from the operating sound of the pump in response to an operation by the user; detecting an output sound of the sound output device included in the sound data; The tank remaining amount detection method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of calculating the discharge threshold value from the detected output sound by referring to a predetermined relationship between the output sound and the discharge threshold value.

11. The tank remaining amount detection method according to claim 10, wherein the step of detecting the output sound includes a step of detecting the output sound from the sound data using a second model that has been machine-learned using the output sound of the sound output device in response to the user's operation as training data.

12. the relationship includes a relationship between the number of times the output sound of the sound output device is output and the discharge threshold value, The step of detecting the output sound includes a step of counting the number of times the output sound is output from the sound data, The method for detecting remaining amount in a tank according to claim 10, wherein the step of calculating the discharge threshold value includes a step of calculating the discharge threshold value from the counted number of outputs.

Images