Flow Measuring Device

Abstract

To encourage appropriate use of an indoor gas burning appliance when gas is newly used indoors while a DA adapter is connected to a gas meter.SOLUTION: A flow rate measuring device 1 comprises: a power supply answer request signal detection unit 16f2 that, when an alarm 20 is connected to a connection part 15, receives an actuation detection signal I3 based on a power supply answer request signal I2; a DA adapter connection determination unit 16e that, when the actuation detection signal I3 based on the power supply answer request signal I2 is not detected by the power supply answer request signal detection unit 16f2, determines that the DA adapter 30 is connected; and a notification unit 13. When the connection of the DA adapter 30 is determined by the DA adapter connection determination unit 16e and the use of an indoor gas burning appliance 100 is determined by an indoor appliance use determination unit 16d, the notification unit 13 performs notification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow rate measurement device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, gas leak alarms that sound an alarm when the concentration of the gas to be detected reaches or exceeds a predetermined concentration are known (see Patent Document 1). Also, a gas security system that links a gas meter that measures the gas flow rate with a gas leak alarm has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

[0003] In a gas security system, the gas meter is equipped with functions linked to a gas leak alarm. For example, the gas meter is equipped with 1) a gas leak alarm activation cutoff function that closes the cutoff valve to stop the gas supply if a gas leak alarm is activated while gas is being used, 2) a usage time cutoff function that closes the cutoff valve if gas is used beyond a preset cutoff judgment time, and 3) a function that allows unlimited gas use, provided that a gas alarm is connected. Note that the cutoff judgment time for the usage time cutoff function differs depending on whether or not a gas alarm is connected.

[0004] Also, the installation of a gas alarm is not essential in environments where there is no combustion device indoors and ventilation is ensured. For this reason, the use of a pseudo alarm called a DA adapter is permitted for gas meters, and by connecting the DA adapter to the alarm terminal provided on the gas meter, the gas meter recognizes it as if an alarm is connected, and the above functions are activated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-188175 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 62-214499 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, after installing a DA adapter, consumers may begin using gas indoors and may end up installing a gas-burning appliance indoors, but the DA adapter cannot activate the same functions as an alarm.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and makes it possible to encourage proper use of indoor gas burning appliances when gas is first used indoors while a DA adapter is connected to a gas meter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objects, the present invention provides a connection unit to which either an alarm device or a DA adapter is connected and which outputs a connection detection signal, a power answer request signal or an operation detection signal to the alarm device or DA adapter, a connection detection unit which detects the connection detection signal when the alarm device or the DA adapter is connected to the connection unit, a power answer request signal detection unit which receives an operation detection signal based on the power answer request signal when the alarm device is connected to the connection unit, and an operation detection unit which detects the operation detection signal when the alarm device is connected to the connection unit and is in an activated state, and further comprises a DA adapter connection determination unit which determines that the DA adapter is connected when the power answer request signal is output and the power answer request signal detection unit does not detect the operation detection signal, an indoor appliance use determination unit which determines whether or not an indoor gas burning appliance is in use, and an alarm unit which issues an alarm, and is characterized in that the alarm unit issues an alarm when the DA adapter connection determination unit determines that the DA adapter is connected and the indoor appliance use determination unit determines that the indoor gas burning appliance is in use. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The flow rate measuring device according to the present invention has the effect of encouraging proper use of indoor gas burning appliances when gas is newly used indoors with the DA adapter connected to the gas meter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view of the flow rate measurement device according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the alarm device connection circuit and the DA adaptor connection circuit according to this embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a DA adapter determination flow according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of a flow rate measuring device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0012] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is an overall view of the flow rate measurement device according to the present embodiment.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, a flow rate measurement device 1 according to this embodiment includes a gas meter 10, and an alarm device 20 or a DA adapter 30 that can be connected to the gas meter 10.

[0014] Here, the alarm device 20 is connected to a connection terminal section 15 of the gas meter 10, which will be described later, and issues an alarm when the concentration of the gas to be detected reaches a predetermined concentration or more, and notifies the gas meter 10 of gas leak information, etc. The alarm device 20 is driven by power supplied from a power source (not shown), and has at least a diode 20a, a transistor 20b, and a signal detection section (not shown). The diode 20a passes a signal from the gas meter 10 in one direction, and when the detection section (not shown) detects that the signal from the gas meter 10 has passed through the diode 20a, it applies a base current to the transistor 20b for 1 to 2 seconds, causing the transistor 20b to conduct. Note that when the indoor gas burning appliance 100 is not connected and the outdoor gas burning appliance 200 is connected to the gas meter 10, it is not necessary to connect the alarm device 20 to the gas meter 10.

[0015] Furthermore, when the indoor gas burning appliance 100 is not connected and the outdoor gas burning appliance 200 is connected to the gas meter 10, the DA adapter 30 is connected to the connection terminal unit 15 of the gas meter 10, and causes the gas meter 10 to recognize that the alarm 20 is connected. The DA adapter 30 has a diode 30a. The diode 30a passes a signal from the gas meter 10 in one direction.

[0016] The gas meter 10 includes a flow rate measuring unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, a connection terminal unit 15, and a control unit 16. The gas meter 10 further includes a cutoff unit 14 that is provided midway through the gas piping R and cuts off the gas in an emergency or the like. The gas meter 10 is connected downstream of the gas piping R to an indoor gas combustion appliance 100 such as a fan heater or floor heating unit, an outdoor gas combustion appliance 200 such as a commercial water heater, and the like.

[0017] The flow rate measuring unit 11 is, for example, an ultrasonic flowmeter. It measures the flow rate of gas flowing through the gas pipe R by emitting ultrasonic waves at regular time intervals. The flow rate measuring unit 11 is electrically connected to the control unit 16. The communication unit 12 communicates with external devices such as a monitoring center when an abnormality including a gas leak is detected. The communication unit 12 is electrically connected to the control unit 16. The display unit 13 is an alarm unit, and displays cutoff information and the like when an abnormality including a gas leak is detected. The display unit 13 is electrically connected to the control unit 16. The connection terminal unit 15 is a connection unit, and is connected to either the alarm device 20 or the DA adapter 30. The connection terminal unit 15 is electrically connected to the control unit 16.

[0018] The control unit 16 includes a measured flow rate memory unit 16a, an appliance determination calculation unit 16b, an appliance information memory unit 16c, an indoor appliance use determination unit 16d, a DA adapter connection determination unit 16e, and an alarm control unit 16f. The control unit 16 controls switching between enabling and disabling a disconnection shutoff. Here, disconnection shutoff is a function that closes the shutoff valve by the shutoff unit 14 when an alarm device 20 is not connected to the gas meter 10. The control unit 16 also controls switching between enabling and disabling a gas appliance monitoring function. Here, the gas appliance monitoring function is a flow rate measurement category integration function and an appliance identification function.

[0019] The measured flow rate storage unit 16a stores the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 11. The appliance determination calculation unit 16b uses a flow rate division integration function or an appliance identification function to calculate the characteristics of the indoor gas combustion appliance 100 and the outdoor gas combustion appliance 200 connected to the gas meter 10, and determines what type of combustion appliance the combustion appliance 100, 200 being used is. The appliance information storage unit 16c stores the gas combustion appliance information calculated by the appliance determination calculation unit 16b. The indoor appliance use determination unit 16d determines whether or not the gas combustion appliance connected to the gas meter 10 is the indoor gas combustion appliance 100 based on the characteristics of the gas combustion appliance calculated by the appliance determination calculation unit 16b. When it is determined that the indoor gas combustion appliance 100 is present, the control unit 16 enables disconnection. The DA adapter connection determination unit 16e determines whether or not the DA adapter 30 is connected to the connection terminal unit 15.

[0020] Next, the flow rate division integration function will be described.

[0021] The flow rate classification integration function stores the flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 11 at regular intervals in the measured flow rate storage unit 16a. Next, the appliance determination calculation unit 16b calculates the difference in the flow rates stored in the measured flow rate storage unit 16a at regular intervals. Then, the indoor combustion appliance usage measurement unit 16d calculates which of a predetermined range the magnitude of the difference in the flow rates falls within, and determines whether the gas combustion appliance being used is the indoor gas combustion appliance 100.

[0022] In this embodiment, the predetermined ranges are classified as follows: small flow rate category if the flow rate is less than 210 L / h, medium flow rate category if the flow rate is 210 to 500 L / h, large flow rate category if the flow rate is 500 to 1000 L / h, and extra large flow rate category if the flow rate is 1000 to 4000 L / h.

[0023] As a division between the indoor gas combustion appliance 100 and the outdoor gas combustion appliance 200, for example, the range from the small flow rate category to the large flow rate category is the indoor gas combustion appliance 100, and the range of the extra large flow rate category is the outdoor gas combustion appliance 200.

[0024] Next, the tool identification function will be described.

[0025] The appliance identification function uses the flow measurement unit 11 to measure the instantaneous flow rate value at a predetermined time interval, for example, every 0.5 seconds. Here, each gas combustion appliance has its own unique gas consumption pattern. The measured flow rate memory unit 16a stores the pattern of fluctuations in the instantaneous flow rate value when the gas combustion appliance starts to use gas. Next, the appliance determination calculation unit 16b calculates the characteristics of the gas combustion appliance being used. The indoor appliance use determination unit 16d determines whether the gas combustion appliance being used is an indoor gas combustion appliance 100 based on the characteristics of the gas combustion appliance calculated by the appliance determination calculation unit 16b.

[0026] As an example of identifying a gas burning appliance, a large outdoor water heater has the characteristic that the instantaneous flow rate value increases by more than 500 L / h per second when gas use begins, and the maximum instantaneous flow rate is more than 1000 L. Since the instantaneous flow rate fluctuations and maximum values ​​of the indoor gas burning equipment 100 are less than these, it makes it possible to identify the outdoor gas burning appliance 200.

[0027] The alarm control section 16f controls at least the alarm 20 connected to the terminal connection section 15, and comprises a connection detection section 16f1, a power answer request signal detection section 16f2, and an activation detection section 16f3.

[0028] The alarm device control section 16f outputs a connection detection signal I1, a power answer request signal I2, and an operation detection signal I3 to the alarm device 20 or the DA adapter 30 via the output connection terminal section 15. The alarm device control section 16f also judges whether the alarm device 20 is connected to the connection terminal section 15e, whether there is an unconnected state in which neither the alarm device 20 nor the DA adapter 30 is connected, or whether there is a temporary connection in which either the alarm device 20 or the DA adapter 30 is connected. Here, the temporary connection is an alarm device temporary connection.

[0029] The connection detection unit 16f1 detects a connection detection signal I1 when the alarm device 20 or DA adapter 30 is connected to the connection terminal unit 15. The connection detection signal I1 flows in the direction from negative to positive of the connection terminal of the gas meter 10. As shown in (a-1) in FIG. 2, when the alarm device 20 is connected to the connection terminal unit 15, the connection detection signal I1 passes through the diode 20a and is detected by the connection detection unit 16f1. This causes the alarm device control unit 16f to make a provisional alarm device connection determination. Note that the signal waveform of the connection detection signal I1 in this embodiment has a pulse width of 5 msec, and is transmitted once per minute.

[0030] 2(b-1), when the DA adapter 30 is connected to the connection terminal section 15, the connection detection signal I1 passes through the diode 30a and is detected by the connection detection section 16f1. As a result, the alarm device control section 16f makes a provisional alarm device connection determination.

[0031] In other words, if either the alarm device 20 or the DA adapter 30 is connected to the gas meter 10, the connection detection section 16f1 detects the connection detection signal I1.

[0032] The power answer request signal detection section 16f2 receives an operation detection signal I3 based on the power answer request signal I2 when the alarm device 20 is connected to the connection terminal section 15. The power answer request signal I2 flows in the direction from negative to positive of the connection terminal. As shown in (a-2) of FIG. 2, when the alarm device 20 is connected to a power supply, the power answer request signal I2 passes through the diode 20a. When the power answer request signal I2 is detected, the detection section of the alarm device 20 applies a base current to the transistor 20b for 1 to 2 seconds, causing the transistor 20b to conduct. Therefore, the operation detection signal I3 can pass through the transistor 20b. This allows the alarm device control section 16f to determine that the alarm device 20 is connected to a power source. Note that the signal waveform of the power answer request signal I2 in this embodiment has a pulse width of 10 msec, and is output once every 10 minutes.

[0033] 2(b-2), when the DA adapter 30 is connected to the connection terminal unit 15, the power answer request signal I2 can pass through the diode 30a, but the operation detection signal I3 cannot pass through the diode 30a. That is, the power answer request signal detection unit 16f2 does not receive the operation detection signal I3. As a result, the DA adapter connection determination unit 16e determines that the DA adapter 30 is connected.

[0034] The activation detection section 16f3 detects an activation detection signal I3 when the alarm 20 is connected to the connection terminal section 15 and the alarm 20 is activated. Positive from negative 2(a-3), when the alarm device 20 is detecting a gas leak, the alarm device 20 applies a base current to the transistor 20b for 1 to 2 seconds, causing the transistor 20b to conduct. The activation detection signal I3 then passes through the transistor 20b. This causes the control unit 16 to detect a gas leak from the alarm device 20. Furthermore, although the alarm device 20 is connected to the connection terminal unit 15, the activation detection unit 16f3 does not detect the activation detection signal I3 when the alarm device 20 is not activated. Note that the signal waveform of the activation detection signal I3 in this embodiment has a pulse width of 5 msec or less, and is output once per second.

[0035] 2(b-3), the operation detection signal I3 cannot pass through the diode 30a when the DA adapter 30 is connected to the connection terminal unit 15. That is, the operation detection unit 16f3 does not detect the operation detection signal I3.

[0036] Next, the control relating to this embodiment will be described.

[0037] 3 is a diagram showing a DA adapter determination flow according to this embodiment. Note that the control in this embodiment is assumed to be performed when the gas meter 10 is installed.

[0038] Firstly, the alarm device control section 16f makes a non-connection determination if neither the alarm device 20 nor the DA adapter 30 is connected (S1). Next, the control section 16 enables non-connection cut-off.

[0039] Next, the connection detection section 16f1 determines whether or not the connection detection signal I1 has been detected n consecutive times (S2). In this embodiment, n=2, for example. Next, if the connection detection section 16f1 detects the connection detection signal I1 n consecutive times (S2=YES), the alarm control section 16f makes a tentative alarm device connection determination (S3). Note that if the connection detection signal I1 is not detected n consecutive times (S2=NO), connection detection is repeated until it is detected n consecutive times.

[0040] Next, the control unit 16 disables the no-connection cutoff (S4). Next, the power answer request signal detection unit 16f2 determines whether or not the operation detection signal I3 has been detected based on the power answer request signal I2 (S5). If the power answer request signal detection unit 16f2 does not detect the operation detection signal I3 based on the power answer request signal I2 (S5=NO), the alarm control unit 16f determines that the DA adapter 30 is connected to the connection terminal unit 15 (S6).

[0041] Next, the control unit 16 activates the gas appliance monitoring function (S7). Next, the indoor appliance use determination unit 16d determines whether the indoor gas burning appliance 100 is in use (S8). If the indoor gas burning appliance 100 is in use (S8=YES), the indoor appliance use determination unit 16d causes the display unit 13 to display an alarm (S9). If the indoor gas burning appliance 100 is not in use (S8=NO), the control cycle ends and the process moves to the next control cycle.

[0042] Next, the control unit 16 enables the disconnection (S10), ends one control cycle, and moves to the next control cycle.

[0043] When the operation detection signal I3 based on the power answer request signal I2 is detected (S5=YES), the power answer request signal detection unit 16f2 judges whether the operation detection signal I3 based on the power answer request signal I2 has been detected 1+m times in succession (S11). In this embodiment, m=2, for example.

[0044] Next, when the power answer request signal detection section 16f2 detects the activation detection signal I3 1+m consecutive times (S11=YES), the alarm control section 16f determines that the alarm 20 is connected to the connection terminal section 15 (S12). Note that if the activation detection signal I3 is not detected 1+m consecutive times (S11=NO), activation detection is repeated until it is detected 1+m consecutive times.

[0045] Next, the control unit 16 enables the gas appliance monitoring function (S13), ends one control cycle, and moves to the next control cycle.

[0046] According to this embodiment, even when the DA adaptor 30 is connected to the gas meter 10, the indoor gas combustion appliance 100 can be connected to the gas meter 10, so if a user installs a new indoor gas combustion appliance 100 and the alarm device 20 is not connected, it is possible to inform the user that the alarm device 20 is not connected. This allows the user to recognize the need to install the alarm device 20 and allows the user to install the alarm device 20, thereby encouraging proper use of the indoor gas combustion appliance 100.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the DA adaptor 30 is connected and it is determined that the indoor gas combustion appliance 100 is in use, an alarm is displayed, but in addition to this, gas may be shut off by the cut-off unit 14. This makes it possible to prevent the indoor gas combustion appliance 100 from being used when the alarm device 20 is not connected.

[0048] Furthermore, although this embodiment assumes that the gas meter 10 and alarm device 20 are connected via a wired connection, a wireless alarm device may also be used. In the case of a wireless alarm device, communication is repeated at intervals of several minutes to confirm that the connection is being maintained between the gas meter 10 and the alarm device 20. For this reason, if a wireless alarm device is connected, the DA adapter determination flow in Figure 3 is not carried out.

[0049] Furthermore, the notification unit is not limited to the display unit 13, but may be a unit that notifies an external party such as a monitoring center via the communication unit 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Flow Measuring Device 10 Gas meter 12 Communications Department 13 Display unit (notification unit) 14 Breaking section 15 Terminal connection part (connection part) 16 Control section 16d Indoor equipment use determination section 16e DA adapter connection determination section 16f Alarm control unit 16f1 Connection detection unit 16f2 Power answer request signal detector 16f3 Operation detection unit I1 connection detection signal I2 Power answer request signal I3 Operation detection signal 20 Alarm 30 DA adapter 100 Indoor gas burning appliances 200 Outdoor gas burning appliances

Claims

1. a connection section to which either an alarm device or a DA adapter is connected, and which outputs a connection detection signal, a power answer request signal, or an operation detection signal to said alarm device or said DA adapter; a connection detection unit that detects the connection detection signal when the alarm device or the DA adapter is connected to the connection unit; a power answer request signal detection section that detects the operation detection signal based on the power answer request signal when the alarm device is connected to the connection section; an activation detection unit that detects the activation detection signal when the alarm device is connected to the connection unit and the alarm device is activated; Equipped with a DA adapter connection determination unit that determines that the DA adapter is connected when the power answer request signal is output and the power answer request signal detection unit does not detect the operation detection signal; an indoor appliance use determination unit that determines whether or not an indoor gas combustion appliance is in use; A notification unit that issues a notification; Further equipped with The notification unit is configured to notify the user when the DA adapter connection determination unit determines that the DA adapter is connected, and When the indoor appliance use determination unit determines that the indoor gas combustion appliance is being used, an alert is issued. A flow rate measuring device comprising:

2. 2. The flow rate measurement device according to claim 1, Further comprising a cut-off unit for cutting off the gas, The interrupter is The DA adapter connection determination unit determines that the DA adapter is connected, and When the indoor appliance use determination unit determines that an indoor gas combustion appliance is in use, Shut off the gas. Flow measurement device.

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