Gas shutoff restoration determination system

Abstract

To provide a gas meter and a gas shutoff restoration determination system capable of streamlining recovery operations while ensuring the safety of the entire gas infrastructure, including gas meters.SOLUTION: The gas meter includes: a flow rate measurement unit that is provided in a flow path through which gas flows to be supplied to gas appliances installed in a home of a customer to measure a flow rate of gas passing through the flow path; a self-diagnosis unit that performs self-diagnosis; a vibration detection unit that detects vibrations; a calculation unit that calculates an earthquake index value representing the magnitude of the earthquake based on the detected vibrations by the vibration detection unit; a shut-off unit that is configured so as to, when the earthquake index value is equal to or greater than a specified value, switch the flow path from an open state allowing gas to flow, to a closed state blocking gas flow through the flow path; and a recovery method determination unit that is configured so as to, when the shut-off unit gets into the closed state, determine a recovery method of the shut-off unit from a closed state to an open state based on the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit and the earthquake index value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas meter and a gas shut-off return judgment system for determining a method of returning from a state where the supply of gas from a gas container is shut off.

Background Art

[0002] In an emergency such as an earthquake, the supply of gas is shut off by closing the shut-off valve of a gas meter installed in a customer's house. After the shut-off, a method of returning the gas meter according to the seismic intensity equivalent value, that is, a method of releasing the outflow of gas from the gas container, is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, for example, when the seismic intensity equivalent value is estimated to be 5+ or higher, the gas meter is automatically returned on the condition that there is no gas leakage in the piping.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above conventional system that uniformly determines the method of returning the gas meter according to the seismic intensity, there is a problem that the safety of the entire gas infrastructure including the gas meter cannot be further improved. In addition, it is difficult for the operator who performs the restoration work to grasp the priority of the restoration work of the gas meter and the time required for the restoration work. Therefore, it has been difficult to efficiently and quickly perform the restoration work.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas meter and a gas shut-off return judgment system that can ensure the safety of the entire gas infrastructure including the gas meter and can improve the efficiency of the restoration work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The gas meter of the present invention is provided in a flow path through which gas supplied to gas equipment installed in a customer's house flows, and includes a flow rate measurement unit that measures the flow rate of the gas flowing through the flow path, a self-diagnosis unit that performs self-diagnosis, a vibration detection unit that detects vibration, a calculation unit that calculates an earthquake index value indicating the magnitude of an earthquake based on the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit, a shut-off unit that switches the flow path from an open state in which gas can flow to a closed state in which the gas flow in the flow path is blocked when the earthquake index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and a return method determination unit that determines a method for returning the shut-off unit from the closed state to the open state based on the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit and the earthquake index value when the shut-off unit is in the closed state.

[0007] According to the present invention, a return method for releasing the supply of gas from the gas container is determined based on the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit and the earthquake index value. Thereby, instead of determining the return method uniformly using the self-diagnosis result, the return method can be determined while taking into account the degree of influence on surrounding buildings and the like based on the earthquake index value. In this case, for a customer's house, even when the return method is tentatively determined to be manual return based on the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit, when the calculated earthquake index value is a low value, the return method determination unit can determine the return method as automatic return. Thereby, the restoration work can be made efficient.

[0008] On the other hand, when a high earthquake index value is calculated, it is necessary to confirm the safety of the entire gas infrastructure (gas meter, pipeline up to gas equipment supply, and pipeline from outside to the gas meter, etc.). Therefore, it is necessary to encourage the confirmation of safety outside the range directly involved by the gas meter. For this reason, for a customer's house, even when the return method is tentatively determined to be automatic return based on the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit, when the calculated earthquake index value is a high value, the return method determination unit can determine the return method as manual return (that is, going to the site for the return work). Thereby, it is possible to ensure the safety of the entire gas infrastructure.

[0009] In the above invention, the gas meter may further include a storage unit that stores demand household information regarding the demand household, and the return method determination unit may determine the return method based on the demand household information in addition to the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit and the earthquake index value.

[0010] According to the above configuration, by adding demand household information (for example, information indicating the level of public nature associated with each demand household such as a general household or a hospital) as information used when determining the return method, the return method can be determined according to the level of public nature. Thereby, on the premise that it is possible to ensure the safety of the entire gas infrastructure including the gas meter and improve the efficiency of the restoration work, the flexibility of the restoration work can be improved.

[0011] The gas shut-off return determination system of the present invention is a gas shut-off return determination system including a gas meter corresponding to a demand household and a center server capable of communicating with the gas meter. The gas meter includes a flow rate measurement unit provided in a flow path through which gas supplied to gas equipment installed in the demand household flows to measure the flow rate of the gas flowing through the flow path, a self-diagnosis unit that performs self-diagnosis, a vibration detection unit that detects vibration, a calculation unit that calculates an earthquake index value indicating the magnitude of an earthquake based on the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit, a shut-off unit that switches the flow path from an open state in which gas can flow through the flow path to a closed state in which the gas flow in the flow path is shut off when the earthquake index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and a communication unit that communicates with the center server. The center server has an inspection method determination unit that determines an inspection method for the gas meter corresponding to each demand household based on the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit and the earthquake index value acquired from the gas meter.

[0012] According to the present invention, based on the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit and the earthquake index value, an inspection method such as an inspection ranking of the gas meter corresponding to each customer's house is determined. Thereby, instead of uniformly determining the inspection ranking using the self-diagnosis result, it is possible to determine the inspection ranking while taking into account the degree of influence on surrounding buildings and the like based on the earthquake index value. For example, when the earthquake index value is high, it is necessary to confirm the safety of the entire gas infrastructure (gas meter, pipeline up to the gas equipment supply, and pipeline from the outside to the gas meter, etc.). Therefore, it is necessary to encourage the confirmation of the safety outside the range where the gas meter can be directly involved. In this regard, even if the diagnosis result of the self-diagnosis unit is normal, when the earthquake index value is high, it is determined that on-site confirmation is necessary, and the inspection method determination unit can make a determination to increase the priority of the restoration work. Thereby, it is possible to separate the on-site restoration work (confirmation work) from the restoration work that is not, and to speed it up, and thus ensure high safety of the gas infrastructure. Further, when the diagnosis result of the self-diagnosis unit is abnormal, since the restoration work takes time, the priority of the restoration work can be lowered regardless of the level of the earthquake index value. Thereby, it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of the restoration work.

[0013] In the above invention, the inspection method determination unit may determine the inspection method of the gas meter based on the SI value as the earthquake index value.

[0014] According to the above configuration, by using the SI value that quantifies the degree of damage to the building as the earthquake index value, the inspection method determination unit can determine the inspection method more precisely. Note that, as the earthquake index value, various values that can compare the scale of an earthquake, such as seismic intensity, magnitude, acceleration, amplitude, displacement, etc., can be used.

[0015] In the above invention, the center server further includes a storage unit that stores customer house information regarding the customer's house, and the inspection method determination unit may determine the inspection method based on the customer house information in addition to the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit and the earthquake index value.

[0016] According to the above configuration, by adding customer premise information (for example, information indicating the level of publicness associated with each customer premise such as a general household or a hospital) as information used when determining the inspection method, the inspection method can be determined according to the level of publicness. As a result, it is possible to preferentially target for inspection hospitals and the like that have a higher level of publicness than general households.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure the safety of the entire gas infrastructure including gas meters, improve the efficiency of restoration work, prioritize restoration work for customer premises that prioritize business and operation, and provide a gas meter and a gas shut-off restoration determination system that can be used to accelerate the restoration work after a disaster.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, a gas meter and a gas shut-off restoration determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The gas meter and the gas shut-off restoration determination system described below are merely one embodiment. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and additions, deletions, and changes are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0020] (Gas meter) FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a configuration including a gas meter 13 in a required house 20 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing a flow path 13r through which gas flows. As shown in FIG. 1A, the required house 20 is provided with two gas containers 11, a switch 12, a gas meter 13, and two gas appliances 14. Examples of the required house 20 include, but are not limited to, hospitals, schools, local government facilities, nursing facilities, ordinary households, and commercial facilities, and any building that can use gas is acceptable.

[0021] The gas container 11 is also called a gas cylinder, and the gas container 11 is filled with a gas such as LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas). The switch 12 switches the flow path 13r so that the gas in one of the two gas containers 11 is supplied to the gas appliance 14. Thereby, even if a gas shortage occurs in one of the two gas containers 11, the gas in the other gas container 11 can be supplied to the gas appliance 14.

[0022] The gas appliance 14 is, for example, a gas stove, a gas water heater, or a gas fan heater, etc. However, the gas appliance 14 is not limited to the above, and any device that consumes gas is acceptable.

[0023] The gas meter 13 measures the flow rate (i.e., the usage amount) of the gas supplied to each gas appliance 14. Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the gas meter 13 will be described.

[0024] The gas meter 13 includes a flow meter side portion 13a, a self-diagnosis portion 13b, a vibration detection portion 13c, a calculation portion 13d, a shut-off portion 13e, an opening / closing control portion 13f, a return method determination portion 13g, a storage portion 13h, and a communication portion 13i. Among the above-described components of the gas meter 13, the self-diagnosis portion 13b, the calculation portion 13d, the opening / closing control portion 13f, and the return method determination portion 13g are functionally realized by a microcontroller including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory (ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)) storing a program, or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. Further, as the storage portion 13h, various memories or a hard disk, etc. can be used.

[0025] The flow rate measurement portion 13a is provided in a flow path 13r through which the gas supplied to the gas appliance 14 flows, and measures the flow rate of the gas flowing through the flow path 13r. That is, the flow rate measurement portion 13a measures the usage amount of the gas in the gas appliance 14.

[0026] The self-diagnosis unit 13b performs self-diagnosis on the gas meter 13. Specifically, the self-diagnosis unit 13b diagnoses whether the gas meter 13 itself can operate normally and whether gas can be supplied to the gas appliance 14. For example, the self-diagnosis unit 13b detects gas leakage from the components of the gas meter 13, a decrease in gas pressure in the components, whether the components can operate normally, and whether there are any abnormalities such as normal communication and disconnection between the components. However, these abnormalities are merely examples of abnormalities that can be detected by the self-diagnosis unit 13b and are not limited to the above. That is, the abnormalities detected by the self-diagnosis unit 13b include all various abnormalities when the gas meter 13 itself cannot operate normally and various abnormalities when gas cannot be supplied to the gas appliance 14.

[0027] The vibration detection unit 13c detects vibration. Specifically, the vibration detection unit 13c is a seismic sensor that detects the acceleration value of vibration. Based on the detection result obtained by the vibration detection unit 13c, the SI value described later is calculated. The SI (Spectral Intensity) value is a value generally used to quantify the degree of damage to a building.

[0028] The calculation unit 13d calculates a seismic index value indicating the magnitude of an earthquake based on the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit 13c. In this embodiment, the calculation unit 13d calculates, for example, the SI value as the seismic index value.

[0029] When the seismic index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the shut-off unit 13e switches the flow path 13r from an open state in which gas can flow to a closed state in which the gas flow in the flow path 13r is shut off. The opening / closing control unit 13f controls the opening / closing operation of the shut-off unit 13e. The opening / closing control unit 13f causes the shut-off unit 13e to shut off the flow path 13r when the SI value due to an earthquake or the like becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value or when any abnormality occurs. Thereby, the supply of gas from the gas container 11 to the gas appliance 14 is shut off.

[0030] When the cutoff unit 13e is cut off under the control of the opening / closing control unit 13f, the return method determination unit 13g determines a return method for releasing the outflow of gas from the gas container 11 thereafter. In this case, the return method determination unit 13g determines the return method based on the type of self-diagnosis and the SI value. The return methods include automatic return, remote return, and manual return.

[0031] Automatic return means that the gas meter 13 itself automatically executes a gas leak inspection. If there is no gas leak, the opening / closing control unit 13f automatically shifts the cutoff unit 13e from the closed state to the open state. Since the gas meter 13 itself makes the judgment in this way, it is necessary to confirm that high safety is ensured to perform automatic return. Also, remote return means a process of shifting the cutoff unit 13e from the closed state to the open state according to a command from the center server 10 described later. Since remote return is remotely returned by human judgment, it can be executed after collecting surrounding information and the like. Furthermore, manual return means that the cutoff unit 13e is shifted from the closed state to the open state by the restoration work on-site by the operator. Manual return is executed after on-site confirmation when it is impossible to judge whether it can be returned. Note that the determination of the return method by the return method determination unit 13g will be described in detail later.

[0032] In the storage unit 13h of each gas meter 13, customer premise information indicating the level of public nature of the customer premise corresponding to that gas meter 13 is stored in advance. Also, in the storage unit 13h, a return method table T1 described below, which is referred to when determining the return method (automatic return, remote return, and manual return), is stored. The return method table T1 contains information indicating predetermined parameters. Examples of the above parameters include various self-diagnoses (abnormalities (a) and (b) described below, etc.) and SI values as earthquake index values. Also, customer premise information regarding the customer premise 20 where the gas meter 13 is installed may be included in the return method table. This will be described later. Note that the above customer premise information is information indicating the level of public nature corresponding to the customer premise 20, and the higher the numerical value, the higher the public nature. For example, the customer premise information of the customer premise 20 that is a hospital is set to 5, and the customer premise information of the customer premise 20 that is a general household is set to 1.

[0033] The communication unit 13i has a function of wirelessly communicating with a center server 10 described later. As the wireless communication method between the communication unit 13i and the center server 10, for example, communication networks such as the Internet, LAN, or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) can be used. The communication unit 13i periodically transmits information on the amount of gas used by the gas equipment 14 in the customer premise 20, customer premise information for identifying the customer premise, etc. to the center server 10. Note that the communication unit 13i may perform transmission not only periodically but also at the timing of detection, such as an alarm at the time of abnormality detection, to notify the abnormality detection.

[0034] Hereinafter, the determination process of the return method for the gas meter 13 in which the shut-off part 13e has become in the closed state due to an earthquake will be described. The gas meter 13 in the closed state determines its return method by the return method determination unit 13g based on the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit 13b and the earthquake index value. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the return method table T1 when determining the return method.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the return method table T1 includes an earthquake index value (SI value), self-diagnosis, and a return method.

[0036] The return method determination unit 13g determines the return method based on each piece of information stored in the return method table T1. That is, the return method table T1 is a judgment table when the return method determination unit 13g determines the return method. The return method determination unit 13g refers to the return method table T1 based on the SI value calculated by the calculation unit 13d and the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit 13b to determine the return method.

[0037] When determining the return method using the return method table T1, if the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit 13b is abnormal (a), in principle, it is a manual return. However, even if the diagnosis result is abnormal (a), if the SI value is less than the threshold value (for example, 12), the return method is determined to be a remote return. On the other hand, if the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit 13b is abnormal (b), in principle, it is an automatic return. However, even if the diagnosis result is abnormal (b), if the SI value is greater than or equal to the above threshold value, the return method is determined to be a remote return. Abnormal (a) and abnormal (b) are abnormalities that occur in the gas meter 13 respectively, but are different types of abnormalities from each other. Also, when the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit 13b is normal, it is an automatic return.

[0038] Here, the return method table may further include customer premise information indicating the level of commonality. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the return method table T1a, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing yet another example of the return method table T1b.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, in the return method table T1a, not only the SI value and the type of self-diagnosis but also customer premise information indicating the level of commonality is included. The return method determination unit 13g refers to the return method table T1a based on the SI value calculated by the calculation unit 13d, the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit 13b, and the customer premise information stored in advance in the storage unit 13h to determine the return method.

[0040] Examples of the process of determining the return method based on the return method table T1a will be described below. When determining the return method using the return method table T1a, if the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit 13b is abnormal (a), it is generally a manual return. However, even if the diagnosis result is abnormal (a), if the publicity is 1 (i.e., if the publicity is low), the return method is determined to be a remote return. A customer residence with a publicity of 1 is, for example, a general residence. On the other hand, if the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit 13b is abnormal (b), it is generally a remote return. However, even if the diagnosis result is abnormal (b), if the publicity exceeds 1 (i.e., if the publicity is high), the return method is determined to be a manual return. In the case where the "return method to be determined" in the return method table T1a is blank, a general return method is determined as the return method. The same applies to the return method table T1b in FIG. 4.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the return method table T1b also includes customer residence information indicating the publicity level, in addition to the SI value and the type of self-diagnosis. The return method determination unit 13g may determine the return method by referring to the return method table T1b based on the calculated SI value, the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit 13b, and the customer residence information. The general return method corresponding to the SI value and the type of self-diagnosis in the return method table T1b is the same as the same return method in the return method table T1a.

[0042] When determining the return method using the return method table T1b, if the publicity of the customer residence is high (for example, when the publicity is 5 or more), if the general return method is a remote return, it is determined to be an automatic return, and if the general return method is a manual return, it is determined to be a remote return. This is based on the perspective of prioritizing the convenience and efficiency of the restoration work due to the customer residence being, for example, an unattended commercial facility or the like. On the other hand, if the publicity of the customer residence is low (for example, when the publicity is less than 5), the return method for all cases is determined to be a manual return. As described above, the return method can be determined according to the publicity.

[0043] (Gas cut-off return judgment system including a gas meter) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the gas shut-off return determination system 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration inside the customer's house 20 in the gas shut-off return determination system 100. Further, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the center server 10 in the gas shut-off return determination system 100. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted unless otherwise noted.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the gas shut-off return determination system 100 includes a center server 10 and a plurality of customer houses 20. Although four customer houses 20 are illustrated in FIG. 5, the number of customer houses 20 in the gas shut-off return determination system 100 may be three or less, or may be five or more.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, the gas meter 13A in the gas shut-off return determination system 100 includes a flow meter side portion 13a, a self-diagnosis portion 13b, a vibration detection portion 13c, a calculation portion 13d, a shut-off portion 13e, an opening / closing control portion 13f, a storage portion 13h, and a communication portion 13i.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, the center server 10 includes an inspection order determination portion 10a, a storage portion 10b, and a communication portion 10c. The inspection order determination portion 10a corresponds to the inspection method determination portion. The inspection order determination portion 10a is functionally realized by a microcontroller including a CPU, a memory storing a program, and a RAM, or an ASIC. As the storage portion 10b, various memories or hard disks, etc. can be used. Further, the communication portion 10c communicates wirelessly with the communication portion 13i in each customer house 20. The processing of the inspection order determination portion 10a will be described in detail later.

[0047] In the storage unit 10b of the center server 10, there is stored a logic (arithmetic expression) for determining the inspection ranking described later from the SI value calculated by the calculation unit 13d of the gas meter 13A, the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit 13b, and the consumer house information regarding the consumer house 20. Further, in the storage unit 10b, consumer house information indicating the level of publicness of the consumer house corresponding to each gas meter 13A is stored in advance.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an inspection ranking table T2 created when determining the inspection ranking for each consumer house 20.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8, the inspection ranking table T2 includes the seismic index value (SI value) for each consumer house 20, the self-diagnosis result, and the determined inspection ranking. The inspection ranking table T2 and the inspection ranking table T3 described later are stored in the storage unit 10b.

[0050] When the inspection ranking determination unit 10a receives the SI value and the self-diagnosis result from each gas meter 13A, it stores the SI value and the self-diagnosis result for each consumer house 20 in the inspection ranking table T2. The same applies to FIG. 9 described later. Further, the inspection ranking determination unit 10a determines the inspection ranking of the gas meter 13A corresponding to each consumer house 20 based on the SI value and the self-diagnosis result stored in the inspection ranking table T2. This will be specifically described below. In the inspection ranking table T2, in order to identify each of the four consumer houses 20, they are described as consumer houses E to H.

[0051] In the inspection ranking table T2, for consumer house E, the SI value is 16 and the self-diagnosis result is abnormal. Similarly, for consumer house F, the SI value is 17 and the self-diagnosis result is normal. For consumer house G, the SI value is 15 and the self-diagnosis result is normal. For consumer house H, the SI value is 16 and the self-diagnosis result is normal.

[0052] When the self-diagnosis result is abnormal, from the perspective that the recovery work takes time, the inspection priority determination unit 10a first sets the inspection priority of the normal gas meter 13A among the self-diagnosis results higher than that of the abnormal gas meter 13A. That is, the inspection priority of the abnormal gas meter 13A is inferior to that of the normal gas meter 13A. In this case, the inspection priorities of the customer houses F, G, and H in FIG. 8 take precedence over the inspection priority of the customer house E. At this point, the inspection priority determination unit 10a determines the inspection priority of the gas meter 13A corresponding to the customer house E to be the fourth. The inspection priority determination unit 10a stores the determined inspection priority in the inspection priority table T2 (hereinafter, the same applies).

[0053] Next, the inspection priority determination unit 10a determines the inspection priorities of the customer houses F, G, and H. At this time, the inspection priority determination unit 10a gives priority to the inspection priority as the SI value is larger. In FIG. 8, since the SI values are large in the order of the customer house F, the customer house H, and the customer house G, the inspection priority determination unit 10a determines the inspection priority of the customer house F to be the first, the inspection priority of the customer house H to be the second, and the inspection priority of the customer house G to be the third. After the inspection priority determination unit 10a determines the inspection priorities of the respective customer houses 20 in the inspection priority table T2, the inspection priority is notified to the gas meter 13A corresponding to each customer house 20.

[0054] As described above, when the self-diagnosis result is abnormal, since the recovery work takes time, regardless of the level of SI, the priority of the recovery work, that is, the inspection priority, can be lowered. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the recovery work.

[0055] The inspection priority determination unit 10a may determine the inspection priorities of the respective customer houses 20 based on the customer house information in addition to the self-diagnosis result and the SI value. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an inspection priority table T3 created when determining the inspection priorities for each customer house 20. In the inspection priority table T3, in order to identify the five customer houses 20, they are described as customer houses I to M.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, the inspection ranking table T3 includes the seismic index value (SI value) for each customer's house 20, the self-diagnosis result, the customer's house information, and the determined inspection ranking.

[0057] In the inspection ranking table T3, for example, for the customer's house I which is a hospital, the SI value is set to 16, the self-diagnosis result is normal, and the customer's house information is 5. Similarly, for the customer's house J which is a commercial facility, the SI value is set to 10, the self-diagnosis result is normal, and the customer's house information is 3. For the customer's house K which is a general household, the SI value is set to 15, the self-diagnosis result is abnormal, and the customer's house information is 1. Also, for the customer's house L which is a shelter, the SI value is set to 17, the self-diagnosis result is normal, and the customer's house information is 5. For the customer's house M which is a nursing facility, the SI value is set to 15, the self-diagnosis result is abnormal, and the customer's house information is 5.

[0058] From the same perspective as described above, the inspection ranking determination unit 10a first makes the inspection ranking of the normal gas meter 13A among each self-diagnosis result higher than that of the abnormal gas meter 13A. In this case, the inspection rankings of the customer's houses I, J, and L in FIG. 9 take precedence over the inspection rankings of the customer's houses K and M.

[0059] Next, the inspection ranking determination unit 10a gives priority to the inspection ranking in proportion to the larger customer's house information among the customer's house information of each of the customer's houses K and M. In FIG. 9, since the customer's house information of the customer's house M and then the customer's house K is larger, the inspection ranking determination unit 10a determines the inspection ranking of the customer's house M as the 4th and the inspection ranking of the customer's house K as the 5th. The inspection ranking determination unit 10a stores the determined inspection ranking in the inspection ranking table T3.

[0060] Next, in the same manner as above, the inspection ranking determination unit 10a gives priority to the inspection ranking in proportion to the larger customer's house information among the customer's house information of each of the customer's houses I, J, and L. In FIG. 9, since the customer's house information of the customer's house J is smaller than that of the customer's houses I and L, the inspection ranking determination unit 10a determines the inspection ranking of the customer's house J as the 3rd.

[0061] Here, the demand house information of the demand house I and the demand house information of the demand house L are both equal in value at 5. Therefore, when determining the inspection ranks of the demand houses I and L, the inspection rank determination unit 10a prioritizes the inspection rank as the SI value becomes larger. In FIG. 9, since the SI value of the demand house L is larger than the SI value of the demand house I, the inspection rank determination unit 10a determines the inspection rank of the demand house L as No. 1 and the inspection rank of the demand house I as No. 2. After the inspection rank determination unit 10a determines the inspection ranks of each demand house 20 in the inspection rank table T3, the inspection rank is notified to the gas meter 13A corresponding to each demand house 20. As described above, while improving the efficiency of the restoration work, it is possible to determine the inspection rank of the restoration work based on the priority that the safety of the entire gas infrastructure including the gas meter 13A is required due to a high SI value.

[0062] As described above, according to the gas meter 13 of the present embodiment, the return method of the gas meter 13 is determined based on the self-diagnosis result, the SI value, and the demand house information. Thereby, instead of uniformly determining the return method using the self-diagnosis result, it is possible to determine the return method while taking into account the degree of influence on surrounding buildings, etc. based on the SI value and the level of publicness corresponding to the demand house. As a result, it is possible to ensure high safety of the entire gas infrastructure including the gas meter 13, improve the efficiency of the restoration work, and improve the flexibility of the restoration work.

[0063] Further, according to the gas shut-off restoration determination system 100 of the present embodiment, based on the self-diagnosis result and the SI value, the inspection ranking of the gas meter 13A of each customer's house 20 is determined. Thereby, instead of uniformly determining the inspection ranking using the self-diagnosis result, it is possible to determine the inspection ranking while taking into account the degree of influence on surrounding buildings and the like based on the SI value. As a result, it is possible to ensure high safety of the entire gas infrastructure including the gas meter 13A and improve the efficiency of the restoration work, and also improve the flexibility of the restoration work. Further, by determining the inspection ranking of the gas meter 13A corresponding to each customer's house 20 based on the customer's house information in addition to the self-diagnosis result and the SI value, the inspection ranking of the customer's house 20 with high public nature can be prioritized over the inspection ranking of the customer's house 20 with low public nature. Thereby, it is possible to determine the inspection ranking taking into account the public level of the customer's house 20.

[0064] (Modification example) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, as follows.

[0065] In the gas shut-off restoration determination system 100 of the above-described embodiment, when determining the inspection ranking of the gas meter 13A of each customer's house 20 based on the inspection ranking table T3, after first determining the magnitude of the customer's house information, the superiority or inferiority of the inspection ranking is determined based on the magnitude of the SI value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to first determine the magnitude of the SI value and then determine the superiority or inferiority of the inspection ranking based on the magnitude of the customer's house information.

[0066] Further, in the gas shut-off restoration determination system 100 of the above-described embodiment, the inspection ranking determination unit 10a determined the inspection ranking of the gas meter 13 for each customer's house 20 as an example of the inspection method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as another example of the inspection method, it is also possible to determine the restoration method of the gas meter 13 for each customer's house 20.

[0067] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the SI value is used as the earthquake index value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a seismic intensity value or the like may be used as the earthquake index value.

[0068] In addition, in the above embodiment, two gas containers 11 and two gas appliances 14 are exemplified for each consumer house 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The number of gas containers 11 may be one or three or more, and the number of gas appliances 14 may also be one or three or more.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the gas container 11 is filled with LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas) as an example of gas, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The gas container 11 may be filled with other gases such as oxygen.

Explanation of Signs

[0070] 10 Center server 10a Inspection ranking determination unit 10b Storage unit 10c Communication unit 11 Gas container 13, 13A Gas meter 13a Flow meter side part 13b Self-diagnosis unit 13c Vibration detection unit 13d Calculation unit 13e Shut-off unit 13f Opening / closing control unit 13g Recovery method determination unit 13h Storage unit 13i Communication unit 13r Flow path 14 Gas appliance 20 Consumer house 100 Gas shut-off and recovery judgment system

Claims

1. a flow rate measuring unit that is provided in a flow path through which gas flows to be supplied to a gas appliance installed in a consumer's home and that measures a flow rate of the gas flowing through the flow path; A self-diagnosis unit that performs self-diagnosis; A vibration detection unit that detects vibrations; a calculation unit that calculates an earthquake index value indicating the magnitude of an earthquake based on the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit; a shutoff unit that switches from an open state in which gas can flow through the flow path to a closed state in which the gas flow in the flow path is shut off when the earthquake index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; a return method determination unit that, when the shutoff unit is in the closed state, determines a method for returning the shutoff unit from the closed state to the open state based on a diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit and the earthquake index value.

2. A storage unit for storing consumer home information regarding the consumer home, The gas meter according to claim 1 , wherein the restoration method determination unit determines the restoration method based on the customer home information in addition to a diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit and the earthquake index value.

3. A gas shutoff and restoration determination system including a gas meter corresponding to a consumer's house and a center server capable of communicating with the gas meter, The gas meter comprises: a flow rate measuring unit that is provided in a flow path through which gas supplied to a gas appliance installed in the consumer's home flows and measures a flow rate of the gas flowing through the flow path; A self-diagnosis unit that performs self-diagnosis; A vibration detection unit that detects vibrations; a calculation unit that calculates an earthquake index value indicating the magnitude of an earthquake based on the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit; a shutoff unit that switches from an open state in which gas can flow through the flow path to a closed state in which the gas flow in the flow path is shut off when the earthquake index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; A communication unit that communicates with the center server, The center server includes: A gas cutoff and restoration determination system having an inspection method determination unit that determines an inspection method for the gas meter corresponding to each of the consumer homes based on the diagnosis results by the self-diagnosis unit and the earthquake index value obtained from the gas meter.

4. The gas shutoff and restoration determination system according to claim 3 , wherein the inspection method determination unit determines an inspection method for the gas meter based on an SI value as the earthquake index value.

5. The center server further includes a storage unit that stores consumer home information regarding the consumer home, 5. The gas shutoff restoration determination system according to claim 3, wherein the inspection method determination unit determines the inspection method based on the customer home information in addition to the diagnosis result by the self-diagnosis unit and the earthquake index value.

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