Method and apparatus for verifying the error of an electronic flow meter

Abstract

To provide an instrument error calibration method that enables instrument error calibration of an electronic flow meter by exchanging electronic data via wireless communication between the electronic flow meter to be calibrated and the instrument error calibration device. [Solution] The error verification method is configured to equip the electronic flow meter 2 and the error verification device 3 with short-range wireless communication devices. Short-range wireless communication is used to cause the verification device control unit 34 to send a set confirmation signal to the flow meter control unit 23 (S3), the flow meter control unit 23 to send a reception response signal to the verification device control unit 34 immediately after receiving the set confirmation signal (S4), the verification device control unit 34 to calculate the delay time from when it sends the set confirmation signal until it receives the reception response signal (S6), the verification device control unit 34 to determine whether the delay time is within a predetermined range (S7), the verification device control unit 34 to perform the error verification work if the determination result is within the predetermined range (S8), and to request a reset if it is outside the predetermined range (S9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for calibrating an instrumental error of an electronic flow meter and an apparatus for calibrating an instrumental error of an electronic flow meter. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for calibrating an instrumental error of an electronic flow meter, which can calibrate wirelessly whether a pointer value appropriate for the actual flow rate of a fluid to be measured by a flow meter to be calibrated can be shown with respect to the actual flow rate of the fluid, and an apparatus for calibrating an instrumental error used at that time.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a flow meter such as a water meter is calibrated for instrumental error based on the measurement law, and it is necessary to keep the instrumental error (the difference between the actual flow rate and the pointer value) within a predetermined range. In recent years, such a flow meter has become an electronic type that can exchange electronic data such as meter reading data and program data with an external terminal. When it is manufactured, it is set in an instrumental error calibration apparatus for performing instrumental error calibration, and instrumental error calibration is performed while exchanging electronic data with the instrumental error calibration apparatus. At this time, if there is a time lag in data exchange between the instrumental error calibration apparatus on the side where the actual flow rate value is input and the electronic flow meter on the side that measures the flow rate and outputs the pointer value, the accuracy of the instrumental error calibration deteriorates.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a shut-off type calibration apparatus (instrumental error calibration apparatus) including a synchronous valve that opens and closes a pipe through which a fluid flows, and a control unit (calibration apparatus control unit) that is electrically connected to the synchronous valve and a flow meter to be inspected (the electronic flow meter to be calibrated), and the control unit operates the synchronous valve in synchronization with the measurement of the flow rate by the flow meter to be inspected, so that even a flow meter with a slow response speed can perform instrumental error calibration with high accuracy.

[0004] Although not described in detail in Patent Document 1, a conventional instrumental error calibration apparatus and an electronic flow meter as described in Patent Document 1 are electrically connected by a wired connection, and data exchange can be performed while suppressing a time lag in data exchange between the instrumental error calibration apparatus and the electronic flow meter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-067512 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In recent years, electronic flow meters have emerged that are equipped with mobile communication modules, such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication modules, enabling them to exchange electronic data with external terminals via wireless communication. Such wirelessly-enabled electronic flow meters do not require wired connection ports for exchanging electronic data after installation, and the absence of wired connection ports makes it easier to ensure waterproofing.

[0007] However, if an electronic flow meter does not have a wired connection port, it is not possible to connect the electronic flow meter and the error calibration device via a wired connection during error calibration. If error calibration is performed by wirelessly connecting the electronic flow meter and the error calibration device using a mobile communication module instead, it is not practical due to issues with reduced accuracy and stability caused by the effects of reduced and fluctuating communication speed due to radio interference, etc. Also, if the flow meter does not have a wired connection port, it is conceivable to perform error calibration by reading the indicator value with a camera, but the error calibration device would be expensive, so it is preferable to perform error calibration by exchanging electronic data between the electronic flow meter and the error calibration device.

[0008] In view of these points, the object of the present invention is to provide an electronic flow meter error calibration method that enables the calibration of an electronic flow meter by exchanging electronic data via wireless communication between the electronic flow meter to be calibrated and the error calibration device. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide an electronic flow meter error calibration device that enables the calibration of an electronic flow meter to be calibrated via wireless communication by using this electronic flow meter error calibration method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The method for verifying the error of an electronic flow meter according to the present invention is: A method for verifying the error of an electronic flow meter, which uses an error verification device to verify whether the electronic flow meter under verification can show an appropriate guideline value for the actual flow rate of the fluid to be measured, The electronic flow meter is configured to include a flow meter short-range wireless communication unit equipped with a short-range wireless communication device for short-range wireless communication with an external terminal, and a flow meter control unit that electronically controls each part of the electronic flow meter, including the flow meter short-range wireless communication unit. The instrument error calibration device is configured to include a flow meter setting unit that has a setting surface for positioning and setting an electronic flow meter, and which communicates with the set electronic flow meter via short-range wireless communication, and a calibration device control unit that electronically controls each part of the instrument error calibration device, The electronic flow meter to be tested is set on the setting surface of the flow meter setting section, The control unit of the calibration device transmits a set confirmation signal to the flow meter control unit of the set electronic flow meter via short-range wireless communication. The flow meter control unit transmits a reception response signal via short-range wireless communication immediately after receiving a set confirmation signal from the calibration device control unit. The verification device control unit is instructed to calculate the delay time from the time a set confirmation signal is sent until a received response signal is received. The control unit of the calibration device is instructed to determine whether the calculated delay time is within a predetermined range. If the result is within the predetermined range, it is determined that the electronic flow meter is properly set in the flow meter setting unit and the instrument error calibration work is performed. If the calculated delay time is outside the predetermined range, it is determined that the electronic flow meter is not properly set in the flow meter setting unit and a re-setting request is made. It is characterized by including [this].

[0010] In this method for calibrating the error of an electronic flow meter, The electronic flow meter or instrument error calibration device is configured to include a set detection unit that detects when the electronic flow meter to be tested is set on the set surface of the flow meter set section, The system further includes, when the electronic flow meter to be tested is set on the setting surface of the flow meter setting unit, a start signal is transmitted from the setting detection unit to the testing device control unit, Upon receiving the start signal, the control unit of the testing device transmits a set confirmation signal. It is preferable.

[0011] Furthermore, in this electronic flow meter error calibration method, it is preferable that the flow meter control unit or calibration device control unit automatically performs a series of uninterrupted operations, including receiving the start signal, transmitting and receiving the set confirmation signal, transmitting and receiving the reception response signal, calculating the delay time, determining the delay time, and performing error calibration work or requesting a reset according to the result of the delay time determination.

[0012] The electronic flow meter error calibration device according to the present invention is an electronic flow meter error calibration device that is equipped with a short-range wireless communication device and capable of short-range wireless communication with an external terminal, and performs error calibration to determine whether the electronic flow meter under calibration can show an appropriate guideline value for the actual flow rate of the fluid to be measured.

[0013] The instrument error calibration device for this electronic flow meter is: A flow meter setting unit is provided, which is equipped with a short-range wireless communication device and has a setting surface for setting an electronic flow meter in a positioned state, and which communicates short-range wirelessly with the set electronic flow meter. A control unit for the inspection device that electronically controls each part, Equipped with, The inspection device control unit A set confirmation signal transmission process is performed to transmit a set confirmation signal to the flow meter set unit via short-range wireless communication to the electronic flow meter to be tested, which is set on the set surface of the flow meter set unit. The electronic flow meter receives a set confirmation signal and immediately transmits a received response signal via short-range wireless communication. This process acquires the received response signal via the flow meter set unit. A delay time calculation process for calculating the delay time from when a set confirmation signal is transmitted to the flow meter set unit until a reception response signal is acquired, and An instrument error inspection start determination process for determining whether the electronic flow meter is properly set in the flow meter set unit based on whether the calculated delay time is within a predetermined range set in advance, and An instrument error inspection process for performing an instrument error inspection operation when it is determined in the instrument error inspection start determination process that it is properly set, and A reset request process for making a reset request when it is determined in the instrument error inspection start determination process that it is not properly set, and are executed, which is characterized in that.

[0014] In this instrument error inspection device for an electronic flow meter, it further includes a set detection unit that detects that the electronic flow meter to be inspected is set on the set surface of the flow meter set unit and transmits a start signal to the inspection device control unit, and it is preferable that the inspection device control unit executes a set confirmation signal transmission process upon receiving the start signal.

[0015] Also, in this instrument error inspection device for an electronic flow meter, when the inspection device control unit receives the start signal, it automatically executes, without interruption, in a series of flows, the set confirmation signal transmission process, the reception response signal acquisition process, the delay time calculation process, the instrument error inspection start determination process, and the instrument error inspection process or the reset request process performed according to the determination result of the instrument error inspection start determination process.

Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the instrument error inspection method for an electronic flow meter and the instrument error inspection device for an electronic flow meter according to the present invention, the instrument error inspection of the electronic flow meter can be performed by the exchange of electronic data through wireless communication between the electronic flow meter to be inspected and the instrument error inspection device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is an overall configuration diagram of an instrument error inspection system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]This flowchart shows the flow of error verification performed in the error verification system shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the instrument error verification system 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The instrument error verification system 1 will be described below with reference to Figure 1.

[0019] The instrument error calibration system 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 includes an electronic flow meter 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as "flow meter 2") as the object to be instrument error calibration, and an electronic flow meter instrument error calibration device 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as "instrument error calibration device 3") that performs instrument error calibration to determine whether the flow meter 2 can show an appropriate indicator value for the actual flow rate of the fluid to be measured. In the instrument error calibration system 1, the instrument error calibration device 3 is configured so that the flow meter 2 can be detachably set, and the instrument error calibration of the flow meter 2 is performed by the instrument error calibration device 3 through the exchange of electronic data between the set flow meter 2 and the instrument error calibration device 3.

[0020] The flow meter 2 is configured as an ultrasonic electronic water meter employing a set of ultrasonic transceivers that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to a metering sensor that measures the flow rate of tap water, with tap water as the fluid to be measured. The flow meter 2 comprises a flow path pipe 21 through which the fluid to be measured flows, an ultrasonic transceiver 22 as a flow sensor for measuring the flow rate of the fluid, and a flow meter control unit 23 which is composed of a computer including a computing element and a memory element, and is electrically connected to the electronic devices mounted on the flow meter 2, and electronically controls each part of the flow meter 2 based on a processing program stored in the memory element to enable the flow meter 2 to function. Furthermore, the flow meter 2 is equipped with a flow meter near-field communication unit 24 which is equipped with a near-field communication device 24a and a near-field communication antenna 24b for performing NFC (Near Field Communication) communication, a short-range wireless communication technology, and performs near-field wireless communication (e.g., NFC wireless communication) with an external terminal (for example, an NFC reader / writer). The flow meter control unit 23 acquires output data from the ultrasonic transceiver 22 and performs processing including measurement and calculation of the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow pipe 21. The flow meter control unit 23 also generates electronic data to be transmitted by the flow meter short-range wireless communication unit 24, and acquires the electronic data received by the flow meter short-range wireless communication unit 24 and performs calculation processing based on it. The flow meter 2 may also be equipped with other electronic devices such as a display device such as an LCD panel for displaying information, a mobile communication module capable of long-distance communication via an internet line, etc., and an outer case that covers everything except the connection parts at both ends of the flow pipe 21, but these can be the same as in conventional flow meters and will not be explained further. The flow meter 2 configured in this way is inspected to ensure that it conforms to the standards stipulated by the Measurement Law, such as instrument error calibration to ensure that it can show an appropriate indicator value for the actual flow rate of the fluid to be measured, and is then installed and used in the customer's home, etc.

[0021] The error verification device 3 is a device used when verifying the error of the flow meter 2. The error verification device 3 comprises a flow meter setting unit 31 for setting the flow meter 2 to be verified, a setting detection unit 32 for detecting that the flow meter 2 has been set in the flow meter setting unit 31, a fluid input unit 33 for inputting fluid to the flow meter 2 set in the flow meter setting unit 31, and a verification device control unit 34 that electronically controls each part of the error verification device 3.

[0022] The flowmeter setting section 31 is the part where the flowmeter 2 is set in a positioned state, and has a plate-shaped mounting section 31a whose surface is a setting surface for placing the flowmeter 2, and a guide section 31b that guides the flowmeter 2 to be placed in a predetermined position on the setting surface. The flowmeter setting section 31 may also have a fixing section to fix the set flowmeter 2 in place as needed. Furthermore, the flowmeter setting section 31 is equipped with a near-field communication device 31c and a near-field communication antenna 31d, which are closely or in close proximity to the back surface of the mounting section 31a, such as an NFC (Near Field Communication) communication device, which is an electronic device for performing NFC communication, a short-range wireless communication technology. The flowmeter setting section 31 is electrically connected to a calibration device control section 34, which will be described later, and can perform near-field wireless communication (e.g., NFC wireless communication) with the set flowmeter 2 under the control of the calibration device control section 34. The near-field wireless communication device 31c can also supply power to the set flowmeter 2 via a wired connection without contact.

[0023] The set detection unit 32 is, for example, a detection switch, which is an electronic device attached to the flow meter set unit 31, and detects that the flow meter 2 to be tested has been set on the set surface of the flow meter set unit 31. The set detection unit 32 is electrically connected to the testing device control unit 34, which will be described later, and transmits a detection signal from the detection switch as a start signal to the testing device control unit 34. In this embodiment, the set detection unit 32 is a detection switch, but the set detection unit can be any electronic device that can detect that the flow meter 2 to be tested has been set on the set surface of the flow meter set unit 31 and transmit a detection signal as a start signal to the testing device control unit 34, for example, an infrared sensor, a magnetic sensor, etc.

[0024] The fluid input unit 33 includes, for example, electronic devices such as a fluid tank, pump, and flow control valve that are electronically connected to the calibration device control unit 34 described later. The fluid to be measured, with its flow rate controlled, is input to the calibration device control unit 34 via the flow path pipe 21 of the flow meter 2 set in the flow meter set unit 31.

[0025] The calibration device control unit 34 is composed of a computer including arithmetic elements and memory elements, and is electrically connected to electronic devices mounted on the instrument error calibration device 3, including the short-range wireless communication device 31c of the flow meter set unit 31, the detection switch of the set detection unit 32, and the pump, valve, etc. of the fluid input unit 33. Based on the processing program stored in the memory elements, the calibration device control unit 34 electronically controls each part of the instrument error calibration device 3 and executes various control processes to enable the instrument error calibration device 3 to function. Among the various control processes, the calibration device control unit 34 performs the instrument error calibration work, which is the main function of the instrument error calibration device 3, by controlling the flow rate of the fluid flowing to the flow meter 2 via the fluid input unit 33 using flow rate data converted into electronic data, acquiring the measurement data measured by the flow meter 2 as electronic data, and performing the instrument error calibration by comparing the flow rate data and the measurement data.

[0026] In this error calibration process, the exchange of electronic data between the flowmeter 2 and the error calibration device 3 is performed using short-range wireless communication with their respective short-range wireless communication devices 24a and 31c. In short-range wireless communication, the communication speed varies depending on the distance between the short-range wireless communication devices. Therefore, if the error calibration process is performed when the flowmeter 2 is not set in the correct position in the flowmeter setting section 31 of the error calibration device 3, the calibration accuracy will deteriorate.

[0027] Therefore, in error verification, the verification device control unit 34 performs various processes to confirm that the flow meter 2 is set in the correct position in the flow meter setting unit 31 of the error verification device 3 before executing the error verification process. The various processes performed by the verification device control unit 34 in error verification will be explained in detail in the following description of "Error Verification in Error Verification System 1".

[0028] (Instrument error verification in Instrument Error Verification System 1) Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of error verification performed in the error verification system 1. Referring to Figure 2, the flow of error verification of the flow meter 2 using the error verification device 3 in the error verification system 1 will be explained below.

[0029] The error calibration of the flowmeter 2 performed in the error calibration system 1 is carried out in the following sequence of steps. In the error calibration of the flowmeter 2, first, the flowmeter 2 to be calibrated is set on the setting surface of the flowmeter setting section 31 of the error calibration device 3 (S1). Then, the flowmeter control unit 23 of the flowmeter 2 and the calibration device control unit 34 of the error calibration device 3 are electrically connected by short-range wireless communication via the flowmeter short-range wireless communication unit 24 and the short-range wireless communication devices 24a and 31c of the flowmeter setting section 31.

[0030] When the flow meter 2 is set, the set detection unit 32 detects that the flow meter 2 to be tested has been set on the set surface of the flow meter set unit 31, and the detection signal of the detection switch is transmitted to the testing device control unit 34 as a start signal (S2).

[0031] When the calibration device control unit 34 receives the start signal transmitted by the set detection unit 32, it executes a set confirmation signal transmission process (S3) to cause the flow meter set unit 31 to transmit a set confirmation signal to the set flow meter 2 via short-range wireless communication.

[0032] Here, based on the processing program stored in the memory unit of the flow meter 2, when the flow meter control unit 23 receives a set confirmation signal, it immediately transmits a received response signal to the calibration device control unit 34 via short-range wireless communication (S4). The calibration device control unit 34 then executes a received response signal acquisition process to acquire the received response signal transmitted by the flow meter control unit 23 via the flow meter set unit 31 (S5).

[0033] Next, the calibration device control unit 34 performs a delay time calculation process to calculate the delay time from when it causes the flow meter setting unit 31 to send a set confirmation signal until it obtains a received response signal (S6).

[0034] Next, the calibration device control unit 34 executes an error calibration start determination process (S7) to determine whether the flow meter 2 is properly set in the flow meter setting unit 31 based on whether the delay time calculated in the delay time calculation process (S6) is within a predetermined range. As mentioned above, the determination in the error calibration start determination process (S7) utilizes the fact that in short-range wireless communication, the communication speed varies depending on the distance between the short-range wireless communication device 24a on the flow meter 2 side and the short-range wireless communication device 31c on the error calibration device 3 side. That is, if the flow meter 2 is properly set in the flow meter setting unit 31, the distance between the two short-range wireless communication devices 24a and 31c is appropriate (close), so the communication speed is fast and the delay time is within the predetermined range. On the other hand, if the flow meter 2 is set off from the appropriate position in the flow meter setting unit 31, the distance between the two short-range wireless communication devices is inappropriate (far), so the communication speed becomes slow and the delay time falls outside the predetermined range.

[0035] If the instrument error verification control unit 34 determines that the instrument error verification start determination process is properly set, it executes the instrument error verification process (S8) to perform the instrument error verification work. The contents of the instrument error verification process (S8) can be the same as in the case of conventional wired connections, so the explanation is omitted.

[0036] On the other hand, if the calibration device control unit 34 determines in the error calibration start determination process that the device is not properly set, it executes a reset request process (S9) to request that the flow meter 2 be reset to the correct position in the flow meter setting unit 31. For the reset request, a warning sound, a warning display, etc., may be used as appropriate. In the error calibration, once the flow meter 2 is reset in the flow meter setting unit 31 in response to the reset request, the set detection unit 32 sends a start signal to the calibration device control unit 34, and the process proceeds from the set confirmation signal transmission process (S3) onwards.

[0037] In this embodiment, upon receiving a start signal, the calibration device control unit 34 automatically executes a series of steps without interruption: sending a set confirmation signal (S3), acquiring a received response signal (S5), calculating a delay time (S6), determining whether to start the instrument error calibration (S7), and either performing an instrument error calibration process (S8) or a re-set request process (S9) depending on the result of the determination in the instrument error calibration start determination process (S7). Furthermore, upon receiving a set confirmation signal, the flow meter control unit 23 automatically transmits a received response signal (S4). Therefore, in this embodiment, once the flow meter 2 to be calibrated is set in the correct position (S1) on the setting surface of the flow meter setting unit 31 of the instrument error calibration device 3, the instrument error calibration is performed automatically until completion.

[0038] (Effects / Actions) In the error verification method for an electronic flow meter, which uses the error verification device 3 described above to verify whether the flow meter 2 under test can show an appropriate indicator value for the actual flow rate of the fluid to be measured, the flow meter 2 is configured to include a flow meter short-range wireless communication unit 24 equipped with a short-range wireless communication device 24a for short-range wireless communication and for short-range wireless communication with an external terminal, and a flow meter control unit 23 that electronically controls each part of the flow meter 2, including the flow meter short-range wireless communication unit 24. Furthermore, the error verification device 3 is configured to include a flow meter setting unit 31 equipped with a short-range wireless communication device 31c for short-range wireless communication and having a setting surface for setting the flow meter 2 in a positioned state, for short-range wireless communication with the set flow meter 2, and a verification device control unit 34 that electronically controls each part of the error verification device 3. In this error verification method, the error verification is started by setting the flow meter 2 under test on the setting surface of the flow meter setting unit 31. In this error verification method, first, a set confirmation signal transmission process (S3) causes the verification device control unit 34 to transmit a set confirmation signal via short-range wireless communication to the flow meter control unit 23 of the set flow meter 2. Next, the flow meter control unit 23 transmits a reception response signal via short-range wireless communication to the verification device control unit 34 immediately after receiving the set confirmation signal (S4). Then, a delay time calculation process (S6) causes the verification device control unit 34 to calculate the delay time from when the set confirmation signal is transmitted to the verification device control unit 34 until the reception response signal is received, and an error verification start determination process (S7) causes the verification device control unit 34 to determine whether the calculated delay time is within a predetermined range. If the determination result is within the predetermined range, the error verification process (S8) determines that the flow meter 2 is properly set in the flow meter setting unit 31 and causes the error verification work to be performed. On the other hand, if the calculated delay time is outside the predetermined range, a re-set request process (S9) determines that the flow meter 2 is not properly set in the flow meter setting unit 31 and causes a re-set request.In other words, in the error verification method, before the error verification work is performed by the error verification process (S8), a set confirmation signal and a received response signal are transmitted and received between the verification device control unit 34 of the error verification device 3 and the flow meter control unit 23 of the flow meter 2 via short-range wireless communication. Based on the delay time (response time) calculated by the delay time calculation process (S6), the error verification start determination process (S7) is performed, confirming that the verification accuracy will not be deteriorated. Thus, according to the error verification method for electronic flow meters performed in this embodiment, the error verification work is performed after it has been confirmed that the verification accuracy will not be deteriorated. Therefore, the error verification of the flow meter 2 can be performed by exchanging electronic data via wireless communication between the flow meter 2 to be verified and the error verification device 3.

[0039] Furthermore, in this error verification method, a set detection unit 32 is configured in the error verification device 3 to detect when the flow meter 2 is set on the set surface of the flow meter set unit 31. Then, in this error verification method, when the flow meter 2 is set on the set surface of the flow meter set unit 31, the set detection unit 32 sends a start signal to the verification device control unit 34 (S2), and the verification device control unit 34 receives the start signal and sends a set confirmation signal through a set confirmation signal transmission process (S3). In this verification method, the reception of the start signal, the transmission and reception of the set confirmation signal, the transmission and reception of the reception response signal, the calculation of the delay time, the determination of the delay time, and the error verification work or re-set request according to the determination result of the delay time are all performed automatically in a continuous flow by the flow meter control unit 23 or the verification device control unit 34.Therefore, according to the error verification method for electronic flow meters performed in this embodiment, by simply setting the flow meter 2 on the set surface of the flow meter set unit 31, not only the error verification work but also the preceding set position confirmation is performed automatically, making it easy to perform error verification.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the instrument error calibration device 3 of this embodiment, since it is configured based on such an instrument error calibration method for electronic flow meters, it can take advantage of the effects of this instrument error calibration method and perform instrument error calibration on the flow meter 2 to be calibrated via wireless communication.

[0041] [Other forms] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention, and for example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0042] (1) The quantities, placement locations, connection methods, specific processing content, and processing procedures described in the above embodiments are examples and can be changed within the scope that does not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0043] (2) In the embodiments described above, the flow meter 2 was described as an ultrasonic type electronic water meter that uses tap water as the fluid to be measured and employs a set of ultrasonic transceivers to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to a measuring sensor that measures the flow rate of the tap water. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to electronic flow meters that measure fluids other than tap water, such as gas meters and kerosene meters. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to electronic flow meters that employ measuring sensors other than ultrasonic transceivers, such as impeller type and electromagnetic type sensors, to measure the fluid to be measured.

[0044] (3) In the embodiments described above, it was explained that only one flow meter 2 is set in the error calibration device 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The error calibration device may be configured to include multiple flow meter setting units so that multiple flow meters can be error-calibrated simultaneously. (4) In the embodiments described above, the set detection unit 32 was provided in the instrument error calibration device 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The set detection unit can be any electronic device that can detect when the flow meter to be calibrated is set on the set surface of the flow meter set unit and transmit a detection signal as a start signal to the calibration device control unit, and may be provided on the flow meter side. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1…Error calibration system, 2…Electronic flow meter (flow meter), 3…Error calibration device, 21…Flow pipe, 22…Ultrasonic transceiver, 23…Flow meter control unit, 24…Flow meter short-range wireless communication unit, 24a…NFC communication device (flow meter side), 24b…Short-range communication antenna (flow meter side), 31…Flow meter set unit, 31a…Mounting part, 31b…Guide part, 31c…NFC communication device (error calibration device side), 31d…Short-range communication antenna (error calibration device side), 32…Set detection unit, 33…Fluid input unit, 34…Calibration device control unit

Claims

1. A method for verifying the error of an electronic flow meter, which uses an error verification device to verify whether the electronic flow meter under verification can show an appropriate guideline value for the actual flow rate of the fluid to be measured, The electronic flow meter is configured to include a flow meter short-range wireless communication unit equipped with a short-range wireless communication device for short-range wireless communication with an external terminal, and a flow meter control unit that electronically controls each part of the electronic flow meter, including the flow meter short-range wireless communication unit. The instrument error calibration device is configured to include a flow meter setting unit that has a setting surface for setting the electronic flow meter in a positioned state and is equipped with a short-range wireless communication device, and a calibration device control unit that electronically controls each part of the instrument error calibration device, The electronic flow meter to be inspected is set on the setting surface of the flow meter setting section, The control unit of the calibration device transmits a set confirmation signal via short-range wireless communication to the flow meter control unit of the electronic flow meter that has been set up. The flow meter control unit transmits a reception response signal to the calibration device control unit immediately after receiving the set confirmation signal via short-range wireless communication. The verification device control unit is instructed to calculate the delay time from the transmission of the set confirmation signal to the reception response signal, The control unit of the calibration device is instructed to determine whether the calculated delay time falls within a predetermined range. If the result falls within the predetermined range, it is instructed to determine that the electronic flow meter is properly set in the flow meter set unit and to perform the instrument error calibration work. If the calculated delay time falls outside the predetermined range, it is instructed to determine that the electronic flow meter is not properly set in the flow meter set unit and to request a re-set. A method for verifying the error of an electronic flow meter, characterized by including the following:

2. In the method for verifying the error of an electronic flow meter according to claim 1, The electronic flow meter or the instrument error calibration device is configured to include a set detection unit that detects whether the electronic flow meter to be tested is set on the set surface of the flow meter set unit, The system further includes, when the electronic flow meter to be tested is set on the setting surface of the flow meter setting unit, the setting detection unit transmits a start signal to the testing device control unit, Upon receiving the start signal, the control unit of the verification device transmits the set confirmation signal. Method for calibrating the error of an electronic flow meter.

3. In the method for verifying the error of an electronic flow meter according to claim 2, The flow meter control unit or the calibration device control unit automatically performs a series of uninterrupted operations: receiving the start signal, transmitting and receiving the set confirmation signal, transmitting and receiving the reception response signal, calculating the delay time, determining the delay time, and performing the instrument error calibration work or the reset request according to the result of the delay time determination. Method for calibrating the error of an electronic flow meter.

4. An electronic flow meter error calibration device that performs an error calibration to determine whether an electronic flow meter under calibration, equipped with a short-range wireless communication device and capable of short-range wireless communication with an external terminal, can show an appropriate guideline value for the actual flow rate of the fluid to be measured, A flow meter setting unit is provided, which is equipped with a short-range wireless communication device and has a setting surface for setting the electronic flow meter in a positioned state, and which communicates short-range wirelessly with the set electronic flow meter. A control unit for the inspection device that electronically controls each part, Equipped with, The aforementioned inspection device control unit is A set confirmation signal transmission process is performed to cause the flow meter set unit to transmit a set confirmation signal via short-range wireless communication to the electronic flow meter to be inspected, which is set on the set surface of the flow meter set unit. The process of acquiring a received response signal, which is obtained via the flow meter setting unit, is an acquisition process of which the received response signal transmitted by the electronic flow meter immediately after receiving the set confirmation signal via short-range wireless communication. A delay time calculation process that calculates the delay time from when the flow meter set unit transmits the set confirmation signal until the received response signal is acquired, An instrument error verification start determination process is performed to determine whether the electronic flow meter is properly set in the flow meter setting unit based on whether the calculated delay time is within a predetermined range, If the instrument error verification start determination process determines that the instrument is set appropriately, the instrument error verification process is performed. A reset request process is performed if the instrument error verification start determination process determines that the instrument is not properly set, and An instrument error calibration device for an electronic flow meter, characterized by performing the following:

5. In the instrument error calibration device for an electronic flow meter according to claim 4, The set detection unit further includes a set detection unit that detects when the electronic flow meter to be tested is set on the set surface of the flow meter set unit and transmits a start signal to the testing device control unit, The verification device control unit, upon receiving the start signal, executes the set confirmation signal transmission process. An instrument error calibration device for electronic flow meters.

6. In the instrument error calibration device for an electronic flow meter according to claim 5, Upon receiving the start signal, the verification device control unit automatically executes the set confirmation signal transmission process, the received response signal acquisition process, the delay time calculation process, the instrument error verification start determination process, and the instrument error verification process or the reset request process, which are performed according to the determination result of the instrument error verification start determination process, in a continuous sequence without interruption. An instrument error calibration device for electronic flow meters.

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