Water meter

Abstract

To provide a water meter that can communicate with the outside and can transmit in a lump each of rotation integrated values accumulated for predetermined time intervals to a cloud device at regular intervals while preventing deviation of a pointer value.SOLUTION: A water meter includes flow rate measurement means for electrically measuring the flow rate of water flowing in a flow path, accumulation means for sequentially accumulating a rotation integrated value obtained by integrating the measured water flow rate for each first period, and communication means for transmitting a pointer value, which is the integrated value of the water flow rate for a second period longer than the first period, and the accumulated rotation integrated value to the outside for each second period, and for receiving a signal from the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a water meter including a lower case having an impeller rotated by inflowing water, and an upper case mounted on the lower case and having an indicating unit that measures and displays the flow rate based on the rotation of the impeller, the indicating unit has a unit substrate incorporated in the upper case. The unit substrate includes a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the impeller, a control unit that calculates the flow rate based on the rotation speed of the impeller detected by the rotation detection unit, a metering display unit that displays the flow rate value calculated by the control unit, an external output unit that transmits the flow rate value outward, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the rotation detection unit, the control unit, the metering display unit, and the external output unit. A water meter is known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] A liquid measuring instrument having a clock and a calendar, a communication input / output circuit, a central processing unit, and a memory that stores a pre-specified meter reading date, a measured value, a water leakage detection condition, and an abnormal flow condition. The central processing unit stores the measured value in the memory when the clock and the calendar reach the meter reading date and time stored in the memory, and sends it out externally in response to a read request from the outside. It also determines that the liquid flow rate has reached the water leakage detection condition and reports it to the center. Further, when the fluid flow rate becomes an abnormal flow rate or when a shut-off command is received from the center, it has a communication function including a program that sends a shut-off signal to the flow control valve is also known (Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a water meter that can communicate with the outside and transmit each of the rotation integrated values accumulated at predetermined time intervals to a cloud device regularly in a batch while preventing the deviation of the pointer value.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the water meter according to claim 1 includes a flow rate measuring means for electrically measuring the flow rate of water flowing in the flow path, an accumulating means for sequentially accumulating the rotation integrated values obtained by integrating the measured flow rate of the water for each first period, a communication means for transmitting the pointer value, which is the integrated value of the flow rate of the water in a second period longer than the first period, and the accumulated rotation integrated value to the outside for each second period and receiving a signal from the outside. It is characterized by the above.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is the water meter according to claim 1, wherein the first period is a period of 1 minute or more and less than 15 minutes, the second period is a period of 1 day or more. It is characterized by the above.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 is the water meter according to claim 1, wherein the accumulated rotation integrated value is divided and transmitted to the outside for each second period. It is characterized by the above.

[0009] The invention according to claim 4 is the water meter according to claim 1, wherein the accumulating means accumulates the rotation integrated value in units of 2 bytes. It is characterized by the above.

[0010] The invention according to claim 5 is the water meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication means transmits the pointer value and the rotational integrated value to the outside via wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) standard or wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi standard. This is the gist of the invention.

[0011] The invention according to claim 6 is the water meter according to claim 5, wherein the communication means transmits the pointer value and the rotational integrated value to the outside via a gateway device having a wireless communication function conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) standard. This is the gist of the invention.

[0012] The invention according to claim 7 is the water meter according to claim 5, wherein the communication means transmits the pointer value and the rotational integrated value to the outside via a multi-hop mesh network including at least one power meter. This is the gist of the invention.

[0013] The invention according to claim 8 is the water meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication means transmits the pointer value and the rotational integrated value to the outside via satellite communication performed with a non-ground base station device. This is the gist of the invention.

[0014] The invention according to claim 9 is the water meter according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate measuring means integrates the water flow rate data based on the rotation speed of a rotating body that rotates according to the flow rate of the water. This is the gist of the invention.

[0015] The invention according to claim 10 is the water meter according to claim 1, wherein The flow rate measuring means amplifies a signal output from a magnetic sensor, shapes the waveform, processes the shaped detection signal, and integrates the water flow rate data. It is characterized by this.

[0016] The invention according to claim 11 is the water meter according to claim 1, The flow rate measuring means generates a magnetic field by an excitation coil in the water flow path, generates an electromotive force corresponding to the water flow rate from a pair of electrodes arranged at opposing positions on the outer peripheral portion of the flow path, and integrates the water flow rate data. It is characterized by this

[0017] The invention according to claim 12 is the water meter according to claim 1, The flow rate measuring means arranges a pair of ultrasonic transducers at shifted positions in the upstream and downstream portions of the water flow path, transmits and receives ultrasonic waves mutually from the ultrasonic transducers on both sides, and integrates the water flow rate from the propagation time difference of the ultrasonic waves. It is characterized by this.

Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the invention described in claim 1, each of the rotation integration values accumulated at predetermined time intervals can be transmitted to the cloud device regularly in a batch while preventing the deviation of the pointer value.

[0019] According to the invention described in claim 2, the flow rate integration information can be accumulated at shorter intervals.

[0020] According to the invention described in claim 3, the data capacity of the rotation integration value to be transmitted can be reduced.

[0021] According to the invention described in claim 4, the data capacity to be accumulated can be reduced.

[0022] According to the invention described in claim 5, the pointer value and the rotation integration value can be transmitted externally by Wi-SUN communication.

[0023] According to the invention described in claim 6, the pointer value and the rotation integrated value can be transmitted externally via the B root.

[0024] According to the invention described in claim 7, the pointer value and the rotation integrated value can be transmitted externally in a multi-hop manner without passing through an outdoor repeater.

[0025] According to the invention described in claim 8, an area that cannot be covered by the terrestrial wave network can be covered.

[0026] According to the invention described in claim 9, the pointer value and the rotation integrated value calculated based on the rotation speed of a rotating body that rotates according to the water flow rate can be transmitted to the cloud device.

[0027] According to the invention described in claim 6, the signal output from the magnetic sensor can be amplified, the waveform can be shaped, the shaped detection signal can be processed, and the calculated pointer value and rotation integrated value can be transmitted to the cloud device.

[0028] According to the invention described in claim 7, a magnetic field can be generated by an excitation coil in the water flow path, and an electromotive force corresponding to the water flow rate can be generated from a pair of electrodes arranged at opposite positions on the outer peripheral portion of the flow path, and the calculated pointer value and rotation integrated value can be transmitted to the cloud device.

[0029] According to the invention described in claim 8, a pair of ultrasonic transducers can be arranged with a shifted position at the upstream and downstream portions of the water flow path, ultrasonic waves can be transmitted and received mutually from the ultrasonic transducers on both sides, and the calculated pointer value and rotation integrated value from the propagation time difference of the ultrasonic waves can be transmitted to the cloud device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] Next, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, in the description using the following drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of each dimension, etc. are different from the actual ones, and illustrations other than the members necessary for the explanation are appropriately omitted for easy understanding.

[0032] (1) Configuration of the water meter FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the overall configuration of the water meter 1 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the flow rate measurement unit 100 of the water meter 1 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 3(a) is a schematic plan view showing the indication unit 30 of the water meter 1, (b) is a diagram for explaining the measurement of the flow rate using the 1-liter needle 37 or the 10-liter needle 38, (c) is a diagram for explaining the measurement of the flow rate using the rotation indicator 36 in the indication unit 30, FIG. 4(a) is a functional block diagram for explaining the accumulation of the rotation integrated value in the water meter 1, (b) is a diagram for explaining the memory 201 for storing the rotation integrated value, FIG. 5(a) is a diagram for explaining the Wi-SUN HAN, Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN, or Wi-SUN FAN communication in the B route, (b) is a diagram for explaining the Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN or Wi-SUN FAN communication in the A route and the IoT route. Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the overall configuration and operation of the water meter 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0033] (1.1) Overall configuration of the water meter As shown in FIG. 1, the water meter 1 includes a flow rate measurement unit 100 as an example of a flow rate measurement means for electrically measuring the flow rate of water flowing in the flow path, a storage unit 200 as an example of a storage means for storing information used for various processes of the water meter 1, a communication unit 300 as an example of a communication means for transmitting the flow rate integrated data of the water measured by the flow rate measurement unit 100 to the outside and receiving a signal from the outside, and a meter control unit 400 for comprehensively controlling the operation of the water meter 1. The pointer value, which is the integrated value of the water flow rate, and the rotation integrated value accumulated at each predetermined time interval are collectively and periodically transmitted to the cloud device.

[0034] (1.2) Flow rate measurement unit As shown in FIG. 2, the flow rate measurement unit 100 of the water meter 1 has a lower case 10 with an inlet 11 and an outlet 12 formed at both ends, and an inner case 20 is housed in the lower case 10. The inner case 20 is provided with a plurality of inlet nozzles 21 and outlet nozzles 22 respectively, and a impeller support member 23 is erected at the center of the inner bottom of the inner case 20. An impeller 24 having a drive-side magnet M1 on the upper part of the shaft is rotatably supported by the impeller support member 23.

[0035] An indicating unit 30 is provided above the impeller 24 via a gasket G1. The indicating unit 30 is composed of a register box 31, a lower base plate 32, an upper base plate 33, a magnetic gear 34 with a magnet M2 mounted thereon, a gear train 35, a rotating pointer 36, a 1-liter pointer 37, a 10-liter pointer 38, a number wheel 39, and a glass plate 40 attached via an O-ring S1. The magnet M2 of the magnetic gear 34 and the drive-side magnet M1 of the impeller 24 face each other and are magnetically coupled (magnetic coupling).

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3(b), two magnets 37a and 38a are fixedly attached to the 1-liter pointer 37 or the 10-liter pointer 38. Above the magnets 37a and 38a, two magnetic sensors 41 are arranged at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with the glass plate 40 interposed therebetween. The magnetic sensor 41 outputs a sine wave voltage signal in response to a change in the magnetic field. In this embodiment, since two magnetic sensors 41 are arranged at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, sine wave voltage signals with different 90-degree phases are output from each magnetic sensor. The output of the magnetic sensor 41 is detected as a change in the rotational position of the 1-liter pointer 37 or the 10-liter pointer 38, and the water flow rate is measured as a digital measurement value. The measured flow rate integration data is stored in the storage unit 200 in association with the measurement time.

[0037] Also, as shown in Fig. 3(c), a magnet 36a having an N pole and an S pole may be attached to the back surface of the rotation indicator 36, and two magnetic sensors 41 may be arranged above the rotation indicator 36 so as to output a detection signal corresponding to a change in the magnetic field based on the rotation of the rotation indicator 36. The output detection signal is processed and integrated, and the water flow rate is measured as a digital measurement value.

[0038] (1.2) Memory unit The memory unit 200 is composed of, for example, a flash memory, and sequentially stores, as a rotation integration value obtained by integrating the water flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 100 for each first period, at a predetermined address in the memory 201. Here, the first period is a period of 1 minute or more and less than 15 minutes, and in this embodiment, it is 10 minutes. In the water meter 1 according to this embodiment, when the maximum flow rate per hour is 7875 L / h, a flow rate of approximately 1313 L at most is measured as the rotation integration value in the 10-minute first period. Also, a pointer value, which is an integrated value of the water flow rate in a second period longer than the first period, is also stored in the memory 201. Here, the second period is a period of 1 day or more, and in this embodiment, it is 24 hours.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4(a), the memory 201 is configured to be accessible from the CPU of the meter control unit 400 in units of 1 byte (8 bits). As shown in Fig. 4(b), the rotation integration value in the first period is sequentially written as data Dn, data Dn+1, ···, data Dn+144 at consecutive addresses as 2-byte data. Such a memory 201 is configured to be at least 288 bytes so as to store the rotation integration values for 24 hours in the second period. Also, the pointer value, which is an integrated value of the water flow rate in the second period, is written as 4-byte data.

[0040] Such a memory 201 has two areas (201-A, 201-B). In the memory 201-A where the rotational integrated values (data Dn, data Dn+1, ···, data Dn+144) for each first period are written over the second period, it is read out at the time of the second period, and the subsequent rotational integrated values (data Dn+145, data Dn+146, ···, data Dn+288) for each first period are written into the other memory 201-B. When the rotational integrated values are read out from the memory 201-A, the next rotational integrated values (data Dn+289, data Dn+290, ···, data Dn+432) for each first period are written in at the point in time when the subsequent rotational integrated values for each first period are read out from the other memory 201-B.

[0041] (1.3) Communication unit The communication unit 300 has a communication module with a wireless communication function compliant with the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network trademark) standard, and periodically makes a call at the second period to transmit the rotational integrated value data accumulated in the memory 201 for each first period and the pointer value data in the second period to the outside. Also, the accumulated rotational integrated value data has a capacity of up to 288 bytes and is transmitted in a divided manner. In the present embodiment, for example, it is transmitted in three divisions.

[0042] The communication module is configured to be switchable between wireless communication compliant with the Wi-SUN HAN (Home Area Network) or Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN (Home Area Network) standard and wireless communication compliant with the Wi-SUN FAN (Field Area Network) standard. The communication unit 300 performs Wi-SUN communication in two systems, namely, an IoT route or an A route for communicating with a power meter and a B route for communicating with a gateway device or an EMS (Energy Management System) device, to transmit the rotational integrated value data and the pointer value data.

[0043] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the communication unit 300 performs wireless communication compliant with Wi-SUN HAN (Home Area Network), Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN, or Wi-SUN FAN standards with a HEMS-GW (Home Energy Management System gateway), which is an example of an EMS (Energy Management System) device (B route), and transmits the rotation integrated value data and pointer value data called from the memory 201. In addition, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the communication unit 300 performs wireless communication compliant with Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN or Wi-SUN FAN (Field Area Network) standards with a power meter forming a multi-hop mesh network (A route, IoT route), and transmits the rotation integrated value data and pointer value data called from the memory 201. Thereby, for example, even if the line-of-sight distance from the EMS device or the power meter is 100 m to 1 km, the rotation integrated value data and the pointer value data can be transmitted without depending on a base station at a data transfer speed of 0.1 to 1 Mbps.

[0044] (1.5) Meter control unit The meter control unit 400 is a processor including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and comprehensively controls the water meter 1. The meter control unit 400 acquires the water flow integrated data measured by the flow measurement unit 100 and the time information, associates the flow integrated data with the time information, and stores them in the memory 201 of the storage unit 200. In addition, the meter control unit 400 calculates the rotation integrated value data for each first period, and stores the rotation integrated value data and the integrated flow rate information associated with the measurement date and time in the memory 201 of the storage unit 200. Further, the meter control unit 400 controls the communication with the power meter via the above-described A route and IoT route through the communication unit 300, and also controls the communication with the gateway device or the EMS device via the B route.

[0045] (2) Operation of the water meter FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for measuring the flow rate and transmitting the flow rate integrated data in the water meter 1. The water meter 1 according to the present embodiment performs a measurement process of electrically measuring the flow rate of water flowing in the flow path, a storage process of sequentially storing the measured flow rate of water as a rotation integrated value integrated for each first period at a predetermined address in the memory 201, and a communication process of periodically calling the rotation integrated value data for each first period and the pointer value data in the second period stored in the memory 201 and transmitting them to the outside in the second period.

[0046] (Measurement process) When the meter control unit 400 of the water meter 1 is activated, first, the flow rate integrated data is cleared, and the year, month, day, and time are read from the timer of the processor of the meter control unit 400 to start the process (S101).

[0047] Here, when the water supply is used, the impeller 24 rotatably supported in the inner case 20 of the water meter 1 rotates, and the 1-liter pointer 37 and the 10-liter pointer 38 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the impeller 24. At this time, two magnets 37a and 38a are fixedly attached to the 1-liter pointer 37 or the 10-liter pointer 38, and the two magnetic sensors 41 output detection signals (see FIG. 3).

[0048] The meter control unit 400 first reads the input from the magnetic sensor 41 (S102), and determines whether the impeller 24 is rotating based on the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 41 (S103). If the impeller 24 is rotating (S103; Yes), it is determined whether it is a forward rotation (S104). When the impeller 24 is rotating forward (S104; Yes), the flow rate is added (S105), and when it is rotating backward (S104; No), the flow rate is subtracted (S106). Whether it is a forward rotation or a backward rotation is determined based on the phase difference of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 41. On the other hand, if the impeller 24 is not rotating (S103; No), the process returns to step S102.

[0049] (Storage process) Next, the flow rate integrated data after addition and subtraction is stored in the memory 201 of the storage unit 200 as rotation integrated value data for each first period, that is, every 10 minutes (S107). This rotation integrated value data is stored as integrated value data of up to 288 bytes over a second period, that is, 24 hours, with 2 bytes. Here, in the present embodiment, the first period is 10 minutes, the second period is 24 hours, and 144 pieces of rotation integrated value data (data Dn, data Dn+1, ···, data Dn+144) are written to the addresses of the memory 201 (S107). In communication processing, timer interrupt processing is executed to receive a transmission request from the gateway device or the EMS device every second period (S108). If a timer interrupt as a transmission request is not confirmed (S108; No), the process returns to step S102 of the measurement processing. If a timer interrupt is confirmed (S108; Yes), communication processing is executed.

[0050] (Communication Processing) In communication processing, the rotation integrated value data (data Dn, data Dn+1, ···, data Dn+144) for each first period written from the memory 201 of the storage unit 200 is called, and together with the pointer value data, it is transmitted to the gateway device or the EMS device in a predetermined telegram format by wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN HAN, Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN, or Wi-SUN FAN standard (S109). At this time, the rotation integrated value data can be transmitted in a divided (into 3 parts) manner to reduce the data capacity of the rotation integrated value data to be transmitted. Also, by transmitting the pointer value data in the second period at the same time, it is possible to prevent a deviation in the integrated value in the case where there is a defect in the rotation integrated value data for each first period. As described above, the communication of the B route has been explained. In the A route and the IoT route, it is transmitted to the power meter that forms a multi-hop mesh network by wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN Enhanced HAN or Wi-SUN FAN standard.

[0051] Thus, according to the water meter 1 according to this embodiment, the rotation integrated value data for each first period is sequentially stored in the memory 201, and a periodic call is made at a second period longer than the first period to utilize Wi-SUN communication, and it is possible to switch and transmit the Wi-SUN communication profile in two systems: Route A for communicating with an electric power meter that forms a multi-hop mesh network, and Route B for communicating between the IoT route and a gateway device or an EMS device.

[0052] (3) Effects of the water meter · The water meter 1 according to this embodiment includes a flow measurement unit 100 that electrically measures the flow rate of water flowing in the flow path, a storage unit 200 that sequentially accumulates the rotation integrated value obtained by integrating the measured water flow rate for each first period, and a communication unit 300 that periodically calls the pointer value, which is the integrated value of the water flow rate in a second period longer than the first period, and the accumulated rotation integrated value at the second period to transmit them externally and receives signals from the outside. Each of the pointer value and the rotation integrated value accumulated at intervals of 1 minute or more and less than 15 minutes is collectively and periodically transmitted to the cloud device. Thereby, the rotation integrated value data of the water flow rate can be transmitted at intervals shorter than before. Also, by transmitting the pointer value data, even if there is data loss in a part of the memory 201 of the storage unit 200, the deviation of the pointer value does not occur. · By accumulating the rotation integrated value integrated for each first period in units of 2 bytes, the data capacity stored in the memory 201 can be reduced. · The rotation integrated value data stored in the memory 201 can be divided and transmitted to reduce the data capacity of the rotation integrated value to be transmitted. · The communication unit 300 has a communication module having a wireless communication function compliant with the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network registered trademark) standard, and periodically calls the rotation integrated value data accumulated in the memory 201 for each first period and the pointer value data in the second period at the second period to transmit them externally. Thereby, even when the line-of-sight distance is 100 m to 1 km, the rotation integrated value data and the pointer value data can be transmitted without depending on a base station at a data transfer speed of 0.1 to 1 Mbps.

[0053] In this embodiment, a water meter having a communication module with a wireless communication function compliant with the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network registered trademark) standard has been described. The communication unit 300 periodically dials out the rotational integrated value data accumulated for each first period and the pointer value data in the second period in the second period and transmits them to the outside. However, the communication unit 300 may be configured with a WI-Fi module capable of wireless communication compliant with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) method, which is a standard for short-range wireless communication using a wireless signal in a frequency band such as 920 MHz or 2.4 GHz and complies with the international standard IEEE802.11 standard. For example, within a line-of-sight distance of up to 2.3 km from an EMS device or a power meter, the rotational integrated value data and the pointer value data can be transmitted at a data transfer rate of up to 3.3 Mbps.

[0054] Alternatively, the communication unit 300 may transmit the pointer value and the rotational integrated value to the outside via satellite communication performed with a non-terrestrial base station device. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a communication system 500 in which each wireless communication device having a wireless communication function operates in cooperation. The communication system 500 includes a management device 510, a terrestrial station 520, a satellite station 530, and a water meter 1.

[0055] The management device 510 is a device that monitors a wireless network. For example, it is a device that manages the communication of the terrestrial station 520. The management device 510 may have a gateway function. The terrestrial station 520 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the water meter 1 via the satellite station 530, and is a device corresponding to a wireless base station or a wireless access point. The satellite station 530 is a relay station that relays the communication between the terrestrial station 520 and the water meter 1, and is a wireless communication device that can float outside the atmosphere. The satellite station 530 may be a device mounted on a space mobile body such as an artificial satellite, or may be the space mobile body itself. Examples of the space mobile body include artificial celestial bodies such as artificial satellites, spaceships, space stations, and explorers.

[0056] In such a communication system 500, the communication unit 300 of the water meter 1 modulates the rotation integrated value data and the pointer value data into, for example, an RF-band communication signal, power-amplifies it, and transmits it toward the satellite station 530. Thereby, the rotation integrated value data and the pointer value data can be transmitted at a longer distance and at a higher data transfer rate than Wi-SUN communication.

[0057] In the present embodiment, magnets 37a and 38a are attached to the 1-liter pointer 37 or the 10-liter pointer 38, and a flow rate measurement unit that outputs detection signals with a 90° phase shift generated as the 1-liter pointer 37 or the 10-liter pointer 38 rotates by two magnetic sensors 41 has been described. A magnet 36a having an N pole and an S pole is attached to the back surface of the rotary index 36, and two magnetic sensors 41 are arranged above the rotary index 36. A water meter provided with a flow rate measurement unit that outputs a detection signal according to a change in the magnetic field based on the rotation of the rotary index 36 has been described, but the flow rate measurement method of the water meter is not limited to this.

[0058] For example, a permanent magnet is attached to the tip of the shaft portion of the impeller 24 with the axial center position shifted, the magnetism of this permanent magnet is detected by a magnetic sensor, and an electronic water meter that measures the water flow rate based on the magnetic detection signal output from the magnetic sensor, a magnetic field is generated by an excitation coil in the water flow path, and electromotive force corresponding to the water flow rate is generated from a pair of electrodes arranged at opposing positions on the outer peripheral portion of the flow path. The present invention can also be applied to an electromagnetic water meter that calculates the water flow rate based on the excitation power supply of the excitation coil and the electromotive force corresponding to the flow rate.

[0059] Further, the present invention can also be applied to an ultrasonic water meter in which a pair of ultrasonic transducers are arranged with a position shift at the upstream and downstream portions of the water flow path, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received mutually from the ultrasonic transducers on both sides, and the water flow rate is calculated from the propagation time difference of the ultrasonic waves.

Explanation of Signs

[0060] 1 ··· Water meter 100 ··· Flow rate measurement unit 10... Lower case, 20... Inner case, 21... Inflow nozzle, 22... Outflow nozzle, 23... Impeller support member, 24... Impeller, 30... Indicator unit, 31... Register box, 32... Lower platen, 33... Upper platen, 34... Magnetic gear, 35... Gear train, 36... Rotation indicator, 37... 1-liter needle, 38... 10-liter needle 200... Memory unit 300... Communication unit 400... Meter control unit 500... Communication system, 510... Management device, 520... Earth station, 530... Health department

Claims

1. Flow rate measuring means for electrically measuring the flow rate of water flowing in a flow path; Accumulating means for sequentially accumulating the rotational integration values obtained by integrating the measured flow rate of the water for each first period; Communication means for transmitting to the outside for each second period the pointer value which is the integrated value of the flow rate of the water in the second period longer than the first period and the accumulated rotational integration value, and receiving signals from the outside; and A water meter characterized by the above.

2. The first period is a period of 1 minute or more and less than 15 minutes, The second period is a period of 1 day or more, The water meter according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The accumulated rotational integration value is divided and transmitted to the outside of the second period, The water meter according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The accumulating means accumulates the rotational integration value in units of 2 bytes, The water meter according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

5. The communication means transmits the pointer value and the rotational integration value to the outside via wireless communication conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) standard or wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi standard, The water meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the above.

6. The communication means transmits the pointer value and the rotational integration value to the outside via a gateway device having a wireless communication function conforming to the Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) standard, The water meter according to claim 5, characterized by the above.

7. The communication means transmits the pointer value and the rotational integration value to the outside via a multi-hop mesh network including at least one power meter, The water meter according to claim 5, characterized by the above.

8. The communication means transmits the pointer value and the rotational integration value to the outside via satellite communication performed with a non-terrestrial base station device, The water meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the above.

9. The flow rate measuring means integrates the water flow rate data based on the rotation speed of a rotating body that rotates according to the flow rate of the water, The water meter according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

10. The flow rate measuring means amplifies a signal output from a magnetic sensor, shapes the waveform, processes the shaped detection signal, and integrates the water flow rate data. The water meter according to claim 1, characterized in that

11. the flow rate measuring means generates a magnetic field by an exciting coil in the water flow path, and generates an electromotive force corresponding to the water flow rate from a pair of electrodes disposed at opposing positions on the outer peripheral portion of the flow path, and integrates the water flow rate data. The water meter according to claim 1, characterized in that

12. the flow rate measuring means arranges a pair of ultrasonic transducers at shifted positions in the upstream and downstream portions of the water flow path, transmits and receives ultrasonic waves mutually from the ultrasonic transducers on both sides, and integrates the water flow rate from the propagation time difference of the ultrasonic waves. The water meter according to claim 1, characterized in that

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