Gas meter

Abstract

To provide a gas meter that can acquire specific data using a load survey function.SOLUTION: A gas meter includes: a flow rate measurement unit 11 that measures a flow rate of gas; a memory unit 14 that stores predetermined data excluding a meter reading value from among data calculated based on the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 11; a communication unit 18 that transmits the predetermined data stored in the memory unit 14 to an external device 20; and a condition setting unit that sets at least one of a type of the predetermined data stored in the memory unit 14, storage conditions, and timing of transmission to the external device 20. The memory unit 14 sequentially stores the predetermined data based on the occurrence of a predetermined event, and the communication unit 18 transmits the data stored in the memory unit 14 to the external device 20 at predetermined timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gas meter having a function of periodically storing predetermined data obtained by the meter and transmitting the data collectively. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a gas meter that has, in addition to the basic function of accumulating gas flow (obtaining meter reading values), a load survey function for each gas appliance, which sequentially stores the amount of gas used at regular intervals and transmits the stored data to a management device via a telephone line or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-180084 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a gas meter that makes it possible to identify the occurrence of an abnormality or to investigate the cause of the abnormality by utilizing a load survey function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The gas meter disclosed herein includes a flow rate measurement unit that measures the gas flow rate, a memory unit that stores predetermined data calculated based on the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit, excluding meter readings, a communication unit that transmits the predetermined data stored in the memory unit to an external device, and a condition setting unit that sets at least one of the type of the predetermined data to be stored in the memory unit, storage conditions, and timing of transmission to the external device. The memory unit sequentially stores the predetermined data based on the occurrence of a predetermined event set by the condition setting unit. The communication unit has a load survey function that transmits the predetermined data stored in the memory unit to the external device at the timing set by the condition setting unit. The condition setting unit can set at least one of the type of the predetermined data, the storage conditions for storing the predetermined data, and the timing of transmission of the predetermined data stored in the memory unit to the external device for each of a plurality of events that start storage of the predetermined data.

[0006] The gas meter of the present disclosure includes a flow rate measurement unit that measures the flow rate of gas, a sensor unit including a sensor that measures at least one of vibration, temperature, and pressure, a memory unit that stores predetermined data from the data measured by the sensor unit, a communication unit that transmits the predetermined data stored in the memory unit to an external device, and a condition setting unit that sets at least one of the type of the predetermined data to be stored in the memory unit, storage conditions, and timing of transmission to the external device. The memory unit sequentially stores the predetermined data based on the occurrence of a predetermined event set by the condition setting unit. The communication unit has a load survey function that transmits the predetermined data stored in the memory unit to the external device at the timing set by the condition setting unit. The condition setting unit is capable of setting at least one of the type of the predetermined data, the storage conditions for storing the predetermined data, and the timing of transmission of the predetermined data stored in the memory unit to the external device for each of a plurality of events that start storage of the predetermined data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The gas meter of the present disclosure stores predetermined data at predetermined intervals and transmits it all together to a central device, which makes it possible to detect the occurrence of an abnormality or to investigate the cause of the abnormality based on this predetermined data. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] System diagram including a gas meter according to the first embodiment [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the setting contents of a setting value storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Processing flowchart of a gas meter according to the first embodiment [Figure 4] Processing flowchart of a gas meter in the second embodiment [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of flow classification [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing flow rate data acquired by a survey function in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] Processing flowchart of a gas meter in the third embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) Gas meters have a load survey function that stores meter readings at regular intervals in memory and transmits them all at once to a central device at a set time. This load survey function allows the usage status for each time period to be grasped, information to be provided to users, or it can be used for pricing policies. To realize this function, a memory area is reserved as a buffer to record the necessary integrated values.

[0010] However, although this function can be executed as needed, it is limited to meter readings at fixed time intervals, and therefore is limited to grasping the status of gas usage load.

[0011] The inventors discovered that by accumulating specific data that can be obtained from gas meters, not just meter readings, for a predetermined period of time, it is possible to not only determine gas usage status, but also to analyze abnormalities and the causes of such abnormalities, and this discovery constitutes the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0013] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] [1-1.Configuration] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a gas meter according to the first embodiment. The gas meter 10 is composed of a flow rate measurement unit 11 that measures the flow rate of gas, a sensor unit 13 that includes a vibration sensor that detects the occurrence of an earthquake, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the gas and the air, and a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the gas and the atmospheric pressure, an abnormality determination unit 12 that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality based on the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 11 and the detection results of the sensor unit 13, a shutoff unit 16 that shuts off the gas as necessary based on the determination results of the abnormality determination unit 12, a communication unit 18 that communicates with an external device 20 such as a central device or a setting device, a memory unit 14 that stores predetermined data, a condition setting unit 19 that sets the type of data to be stored in the memory unit 14 and the storage conditions, an integration unit 15 that integrates the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 11 to calculate the meter reading value, and a control unit 17 that controls all of these units.

[0016] The method of communication with the external device 20 is not particularly limited, and may be specific low-power wireless communication, WiFi, or Bluetooth (registered trademark) for communication with the setting device, or cellular communication, specific low-power wireless communication, or a network via a relay station for communication with the center device.

[0017] The condition setting unit 19 sets conditions such as the type of data to be stored in the storage unit 14, the event that starts the storage, the storage cycle, and the timing of transmission to the external device 20. Note that the various setting values ​​set by the condition setting unit 19 can also be set externally by the communication unit 18.

[0018] In the following description, the function of this embodiment to acquire specific data will be referred to as a survey function.

[0019] Next, FIG. 2 shows a table showing an example of conditions set by the condition setting unit 19 in this embodiment.

[0020] In Figure 2, the start events are the conditions for starting the survey function, and A1: installation completion means the timing when gas meter installation is completed and gas measurement begins. A2: gas usage status means when gas usage starts or stops due to the use of an appliance, or when gas is in use. A3: earthquake occurrence means when an earthquake is determined to have occurred based on vibrations detected by the seismic sensor in the sensor unit 13. A4: pressure drop means when the pressure sensor in the sensor unit 13 detects that the pressure has dropped below a predetermined value. A5: communication means that it is due to an instruction from an external device 20 such as a central device.

[0021] The data type is the data to be stored and specifies the data to be stored in the survey function buffer. B1: Flow rate is further classified as shown in Figure 2(b), and B1-1: Negative flow rate refers to the cumulative value of negative flow rate caused by backflow. B1-2: Classified flow rate refers to the cumulative flow rate value of a specific flow rate category within a range of flow rates. B2: Time refers to the time when the data was stored in the memory unit 14, B3: Pressure value refers to the gas pressure measured by a pressure sensor (not shown), and B4: Seismic intensity refers to the intensity of the earthquake motion calculated based on the vibration detected by the sensor unit 13. It is possible to specify two types of data, for example, B2 and B4, in which case the seismic intensity and time can be stored as a set.

[0022] The storage conditions specify the timing and conditions for storing the data specified by the data to be stored in the storage unit 14, and C1: 1 hour cycle and C2: 1 minute cycle mean that the data is stored periodically at 1 hour or 1 minute cycles. C3: flow rate value means that the data is stored when the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit 11 exceeds a predetermined value, and C4: differential value means that the data is stored when the differential value between the flow rate measured last time and the flow rate measured this time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the detailed conditions and predetermined values ​​are determined separately.

[0023] In addition, the transmission timing is the timing at which all the data stored in the memory unit 14 is transmitted to the external device 20 at once, D1: once a day (midnight) specifies the time, D2: when storage memory is over means that all the memory allocated for the survey function has been used, D3: number of data means that the number of recorded data has reached a predetermined number, and D4: specific condition means that a predetermined condition is met.

[0024] Furthermore, the conditions for terminating the survey function can be set as follows: E1: communication is terminated by instruction from external device 20; E2: period is when a predetermined time or period has elapsed; E3: threshold is when the obtained data reaches a certain threshold; etc.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows an example of conditions set by the condition setting unit 19, and each condition can be arbitrarily set via the communication unit 18 as needed.

[0026] The control unit 17 stores predetermined data in the storage unit 14 based on the setting conditions set by the condition setting unit 19, and transmits the data to the external device 20 using the communication unit .

[0027] [1-2. Operation] Next, the survey function of the gas meter 10 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0028] In the following explanation, we will explain the survey function, which aims to investigate the cause of backflow when it occurs. In this embodiment, the flow rate measurement unit 11 uses an ultrasonic flow rate measurement method that can measure instantaneous flow rate.

[0029] The survey function is configured so that the starting event is after the gas meter is installed, the data to be stored is the cumulative value of the negative flow rate, the storage condition is an hourly cycle, and the transmission timing is once a day at midnight.

[0030] First, the conditions shown in Fig. 2, such as the data to be acquired by the survey function and the acquisition method, are set in the condition setting unit 19 through communication with the external device 20 (process S101). Note that the set values ​​set in the condition setting unit 19 may be stored in the gas meter in advance and selected through communication.

[0031] In process S102, the start event of the survey function is confirmed, and the system waits until installation is complete, at which point the survey function is started. Next, flow rate measurement is periodically performed by the flow rate measurement unit 11 (process S103). Then, according to the set conditions, the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 11 is integrated with the negative flow rate for each hour and stored in the memory of the storage unit 14 (process S104).

[0032] Next, it is determined whether it is time to send the data (process S105), and if the time reaches midnight, which is the time to send the data (Yes in process S105), the data stored in the memory unit 14 is sent all at once (process S106), and the memory of the memory unit 14 saved in process S104 is cleared (S107).

[0033] Thereafter, it is determined whether or not to terminate the survey function (process S108), and if it is to be terminated (Yes in process S108), the process terminates. If it is not the timing for transmission (No in process S105) or if it is not to be terminated (No in process S108), the process proceeds to process S104, and the survey function continues.

[0034] The flow rate data collected by the above survey function is received by the center device, which is the external device 20, and analyzed.

[0035] For example, if there are many negative integrated values ​​immediately after the installation of the gas meter 10, it can be inferred that the cause is likely an environmental factor. In other words, it is determined that a backflow is occurring due to a gas appliance (e.g., a gas heat pump) connected to the piping upstream of the gas meter 10. In addition, this survey function continuously acquires data, and if there is a sudden increase in negative integrated values ​​from a certain point in time, it is determined that there may have been a change in the environment or that there is a possibility of an abnormality in the gas meter's measurements. Since the gas company can identify environmental changes such as the installation of a gas heat pump, if the cause is not an environmental change, it can be inferred that there is an abnormality in the gas meter's measurements and repair or replacement can be performed.

[0036] Therefore, by utilizing the survey function of this embodiment, it is possible to investigate or estimate the cause of an abnormality caused by the occurrence of a backflow.

[0037] In the above explanation, the initiating event is assumed to be after the installation of the gas meter is completed, but it may be initiated when a backflow occurs, i.e., when a negative flow rate occurs in the flow rate measurement unit, or it may be initiated periodically (for example, once every three months).Furthermore, the transmission timing may be set to several days, and several days' worth of data may be analyzed together.

[0038] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, this embodiment comprises a flow measurement unit 11 that measures the gas flow rate, a memory unit 14 that stores predetermined data excluding meter readings from among the flow rate data calculated based on the flow rate measured by the flow measurement unit 11, a condition setting unit 19 that sets the type of predetermined data to be stored in the memory unit 14 and the storage conditions, and a communication unit 18 for transmitting the data stored in the memory unit 14 to an external device 20, wherein the memory unit 14 sequentially stores the cumulative value of the negative flow rate as predetermined data every hour upon completion of installation as a predetermined event, and the communication unit 18 transmits the data stored in the memory unit 14 to the external device 20, which is a center device, once a day as a predetermined timing, thereby allowing the center device to determine the cause of the backflow based on the occurrence of the negative flow rate.

[0039] (Embodiment 2) [2-1.Configuration] The configuration of the gas meter in the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] [2-2. Operation] Next, the operation of the gas meter 10 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0041] The survey function in this embodiment is intended to grasp the usage status of gas appliances, and the survey function is configured so that the initiating event is communication, the data to be stored are the integrated values ​​of two flow rate bands, flow rate bands 2-3 and bands 10-13, the storage conditions are one hourly, and the transmission timing is once a day at midnight. Here, a flow rate band is a multiple division of the gas flow rate range, and a continuous use time is set for each flow rate band. Figure 5 shows the relationship between the flow rate band and the gas flow rate, and an example of the continuous use time set for each flow rate band.

[0042] First, the conditions shown in Fig. 2, such as the data to be acquired by the survey function and the acquisition method, are set in the condition setting unit 19 through communication with the external device 20 (process S201). Note that the set values ​​set in the condition setting unit 19 may be stored in the gas meter in advance and selected through communication.

[0043] In process S202, the start event of the survey function is confirmed, and the system waits until a start instruction is received via communication, and starts the survey function when the start instruction is received. Next, flow measurement is periodically performed by the flow measurement unit 11 (process S203). Then, in accordance with the set conditions, the flow rate measured by the flow measurement unit 11 is integrated for each of two flow rate divisions (divisions 2-3 and divisions 10-13) every hour, and the integrated values ​​are stored in the memory of the storage unit 14 (process S204).

[0044] Next, it is determined whether it is time to send data (process S205), and if the time has reached midnight, which is the time to send data (Yes in process S205), the data stored in the memory unit 14 in process S204 is sent all at once (process S206), and the memory of the memory unit 14 is cleared (process S207).

[0045] Thereafter, it is determined whether or not to terminate the survey function (process S208), and if it is terminated (Yes in process S208), the process terminates. If it is not the timing for transmission (No in process S205) or if it is not terminated (No in process S208), the process proceeds to process S204, and the survey function continues.

[0046] The flow rate data collected by the above survey function is received by the center device, which is the external device 20, and analyzed.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing flow rate data acquired by the central device using the survey function, showing the state in which the integrated values ​​(L) for two flow rate bands (divisions 2-3 and 10-13) are stored as gas usage amounts (L) for each time period of a day. In FIG. 6, time periods are hourly divisions of a day, with time period 0 representing midnight to 1 a.m., time period 1 representing 1 a.m. to 2 a.m., and so on. Also, in FIG. 6, the estimated usage appliances are those estimated based on the gas appliances connected downstream of this gas meter 10 and their flow rates.

[0048] Therefore, if a gas company knows the consumer's lifestyle (when they go to bed at night) and the gas appliances they use (stove, water heater, dryer), the gas company can tell from the gas usage shown in this diagram that the dryer is being used late at night.As a way to apply a discount to gas usage for the dryer, the gas company can implement a discount policy targeting gas usage in categories 2 and 3 late at night (time periods 1 to 3 in Figure 6).

[0049] [2-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the system comprises a flow measurement unit 11 that measures the gas flow rate, a memory unit 14 that stores predetermined data excluding meter readings from among the flow rate data calculated based on the flow rate measured by the flow measurement unit 11, a condition setting unit 19 that sets the type of predetermined data to be stored in the memory unit 14 and the storage conditions, and a communication unit 18 for transmitting the data stored in the memory unit 14 to an external device 20.The memory unit 14 sequentially stores the cumulative flow rate of a flow rate range specified as predetermined data every hour based on a start command via communication as a predetermined event, and the communication unit 18 transmits the data stored in the memory unit 14 to a center device, which is the external device 20, once a day as a predetermined timing, thereby allowing the center device to estimate the usage status of specific gas appliances and to implement measures such as fee discount services.

[0050] (Embodiment 3) [3-1.Configuration] The configuration of the gas meter 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] [3-2. Operation] Next, the operation of the gas meter 10 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0052] The survey function in this embodiment is intended to determine whether the warning issued by the pressure-type micro-leak warning function installed in the gas meter 10 is a false warning. The survey function is set so that it starts immediately after gas use is stopped, the data to be stored is temperature data, the storage condition is every 15 minutes, and the transmission timing is when the pressure-type micro-leak warning is established.

[0053] The pressure-based minute gas leak warning function installed in the gas meter 10 is a function that measures the difference between the pressure immediately after gas use is stopped and the pressure every 15 minutes thereafter, and if this difference does not exceed 0.2 kPa in gas pressure even once within 30 days, it issues a warning that there may be a minute gas leak in the gas supply piping.

[0054] However, because this function utilizes the fact that gas pressure fluctuates with temperature changes, if the device is installed in a location where the temperature does not change much, there will be no increase in pressure and it may mistakenly determine that there is a leak. Therefore, in this embodiment, the survey function is used to determine whether or not the warning is a false alarm, and the result of the determination allows the gas company to make an appropriate decision.

[0055] First, the conditions shown in Fig. 2, such as the data to be acquired by the survey function and the acquisition method, are set in the condition setting unit 19 through communication with the external device 20 (process S301). Note that the set values ​​set in the condition setting unit 19 may be stored in the gas meter in advance and selected through communication.

[0056] In step S302, the start event of the survey function is confirmed, and the system waits until gas use stops, i.e., until the flow rate is measured as zero by the flow rate measurement unit 11, and starts the survey function when gas use stops. Note that the pressure-type microleak warning function operates independently of this survey function.

[0057] Next, the temperature of the gas is measured by the temperature sensor of the sensor unit 13 (process S303). Then, in accordance with the set conditions, the temperature data is stored in the memory of the storage unit 14 every 15 minutes (process S304). Thereafter, it is determined whether it is time to send data based on the presence or absence of a microleak warning (process S305). If a microleak warning is present (Yes in process S305), the data stored in the storage unit 14 in process S304 is sent all at once (process S306), and the memory of the storage unit 14 is cleared (process S307).

[0058] Thereafter, it is determined whether or not to terminate the survey function (process S308), and if it is terminated (Yes in process S308), it terminates. If there is no microleak warning (No in process S305) or if it is not terminated (No in process S308), it proceeds to process S304 and continues the survey function.

[0059] The temperature data collected by the above survey function is received by the center device, which is the external device 20, and analyzed.

[0060] The central device analyzes the temperature data obtained by this survey function, and if the specified temperature rise is not confirmed within the past 30 days, it can determine that the micro-leak warning from the gas meter 10 may be a false alarm, and the gas company can take appropriate action.

[0061] In this embodiment, the temperature data is stored in the storage unit 14 immediately after gas use is stopped, but it may be stored continuously. Also, the temperature data itself is stored every 15 minutes, but it may be stored every hour only as the maximum value of the difference between the temperature measured during that time and the initial value (the temperature after gas use is stopped).

[0062] Furthermore, storing temperature data for 30 days in the storage unit 14 until a micro leak warning is issued requires a huge amount of memory, so the required memory can be reduced by transmitting the data once a day, or by transmitting the data each time the 30-day count of the micro leak warning function is counted up. In either case, it goes without saying that it is good to be able to check the temperature for the past 30 days when a micro leak warning is issued.

[0063] In this embodiment, an application example of acquiring temperature data using a temperature sensor has been described, but the survey function can also acquire data as needed, such as pressure measured by a pressure sensor or seismic intensity measured by a seismic sensor, and this can be used for various analyses.

[0064] For example, by using a seismic sensor to measure pressure for a specified period of time after an earthquake occurs, it is possible to detect abnormalities in piping that gradually progress due to the effects of the earthquake.

[0065] [3-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, this embodiment includes a flow rate measuring unit 11 that measures the flow rate of gas, a sensor unit 13 equipped with a sensor that measures at least one of vibration, temperature, and pressure, a memory unit 14 that stores predetermined data from the data measured by the sensor unit 13, a condition setting unit 19 that sets the type of predetermined data to be stored in the memory unit 14 and the storage conditions, and a communication unit 18 for transmitting the data stored in the memory unit 14 to an external device 20. The memory unit 14 sequentially stores predetermined data, such as temperature, based on the occurrence of a gas usage stop as a predetermined event, and the communication unit 18 transmits the data stored in the memory unit 14 to the external device 20 when it determines that a micro leak warning has occurred as a predetermined timing, and the center device can determine whether or not the micro leak warning has been erroneously determined by checking the temperature during the detection period of the micro leak warning.

[0066] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0067] As described above, with the gas meter according to the present invention, the load survey function is not limited to collecting meter readings, but can be applied to collecting a wide range of data, allowing various analyses to be performed by the center device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10 Gas meter 11 Flow measurement section 12 Abnormality determination section 13 Sensor section 14 Storage section 15 Integration section 16 Breaker 17 Control Unit 18 Communications Department 19 Condition setting section 20 External device

Claims

1. a flow rate measuring unit that measures the flow rate of the gas; a storage unit that stores predetermined data, excluding meter reading values, among data calculated based on the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit; a communication unit for transmitting the predetermined data stored in the storage unit to an external device; a condition setting unit that sets at least one of the type of the predetermined data to be stored in the storage unit, a storage condition, and a timing of transmission to the external device; Equipped with the storage unit sequentially stores the predetermined data based on the occurrence of the predetermined event set by the condition setting unit; the communication unit has a load survey function of transmitting the predetermined data stored in the storage unit to the external device at the timing set by the condition setting unit, a condition setting unit that is capable of setting, for each of a plurality of events that start storing the specified data, at least one of the type of the specified data, the storage conditions when storing the specified data, and the timing for transmitting the specified data stored in the storage unit to the external device.

2. a flow rate measuring unit that measures the flow rate of the gas; a sensor unit including a sensor for measuring at least one of vibration, temperature, and pressure; a storage unit that stores predetermined data among the data measured by the sensor unit; a communication unit for transmitting the predetermined data stored in the storage unit to an external device; a condition setting unit that sets at least one of the type of the predetermined data to be stored in the storage unit, a storage condition, and a timing of transmission to the external device; Equipped with the storage unit sequentially stores the predetermined data based on the occurrence of the predetermined event set by the condition setting unit; the communication unit has a load survey function of transmitting the predetermined data stored in the storage unit to the external device at the timing set by the condition setting unit, a condition setting unit that is capable of setting, for each of a plurality of events that start storing the specified data, at least one of the type of the specified data, the storage conditions when storing the specified data, and the timing for transmitting the specified data stored in the storage unit to the external device.

3. 3. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the various set values ​​set by the condition setting unit can be set externally via the communication unit.

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