Gas shutoff device

Abstract

To provide a gas shut-off device that can secure safety while securing convenience by closing a valve at the time of non-use.SOLUTION: A gas shut-off device includes: an opening-closing part 4 for opening and closing a gas flow channel 3; an operation part 6 for performing an operation to instruct opening the opening-closing part 4; a closing period setting part 7 for setting a closing period T of the opening-closing part 4; and a control unit 8 for performing opening-closing control of the opening-closing part 4. The control unit 8 operates so as to open the opening-closing part 4 by operating the operation part 6 and closing the opening-closing part 4 at start time Ts of the closing period T.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gas interrupter that ensures safety by interrupting gas. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a gas shutoff device that uses an ultrasonic flow measurement method that can measure instantaneous flow rate, detects the flow rate when a gas appliance is first used and opens the gas shutoff valve, and opens the gas shutoff valve when the gas flow rate falls to zero when the gas appliance is stopped, thereby ensuring safety by shutting off the gas except when the gas appliance is in use.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a gas cutoff device that ensures safety by setting a time for cutting off gas and preventing the use of gas outside of this set time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-251880 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-69879 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure provides a gas interrupter that can ensure convenience while also ensuring safety against gas leaks and the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gas shutoff device of the present disclosure comprises an opening / closing unit that opens and closes a gas flow path, an operation unit that instructs the opening of the opening / closing unit, a closure period setting unit that sets a closure period of the opening / closing unit, and a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the opening / closing unit, and is characterized in that the control unit opens the opening / closing unit by operating the operation unit, and closes the opening / closing unit at the start time of the closure period. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The gas shutoff device of the present disclosure opens the gas by operating the operating unit when gas is used, and closes the gas when the time set for the closed period arrives.The gas shutoff device can be used by opening the gas shutoff operation even during the closed period, and closes automatically after use, thereby ensuring convenience while ensuring safety. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a gas circuit breaker according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a timing chart illustrating an operation of a control unit in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a gas circuit breaker according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] 11 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of a control unit in the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 11 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of a control unit in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (The knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) When using gas such as city gas or LP gas, it is recommended that you turn off the gas valve when not using gas appliances to prevent accidents such as gas leaks.

[0010] However, there are cases where the gas valve is forgotten to be turned off, or is left open because it is troublesome, and it is difficult to ensure sufficient safety with a manual gas valve.

[0011] To eliminate such unsafe conditions, the configurations listed in the patent documents have been proposed, but the method of detecting the gas flow rate as in Patent Document 1 has issues such as the need to consider the effects of piping and the need to distinguish between leakage and leakage, and has not yet been put to practical use. In addition, the method in Patent Document 2 can ensure safety with a simple configuration, but there are issues with convenience, such as the valve being turned on when the time comes even if it is not in use, or it cannot be used outside the time period set for the shutoff time.

[0012] Therefore, in order to ensure safety when opening the bottle, it is most preferable for the user to open it manually; in other words, since any leaks or the like can be noticed if someone is present, it is essential that opening the bottle requires the presence of a person, and by automating the closing process to cover the case of forgetting to close the bottle, it is possible to improve convenience while ensuring safety, which has formed the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or duplicate description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0014] It should be noted that 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.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

[0016] [1-1. Configuration] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a gas cutoff device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the gas cutoff device 1 is composed of a gas flow path 3 connected to an upstream pipe 2 for gas supply, an opening / closing unit 4 for opening and closing the gas flow path 3, an operation unit 6 for performing an opening operation of the opening / closing unit 4, a closing period setting unit 7 for setting a closing period of the opening / closing unit 4, and a control unit 8 for controlling the opening / closing unit 4 based on an operation state by the operation unit 6 and a closing period set by the closing period setting unit 7. In addition, the outlet side of the gas flow path 3 is connected to a downstream pipe 9 for supplying gas to a gas appliance A (e.g., a stove) 10A and a gas appliance B (e.g., a water heater) 10B.

[0017] Here, the closed period setting unit 7 sets the start time and end time of the closed period of the opening / closing unit 4. For example, in the case of a restaurant or the like, on a regular holiday, neither the start time nor the end time is set, and the closed period is set to the whole day, and on a business day, the open period is set according to the business hours, such as from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and can be set arbitrarily by the user, for example, for each day of the week or for a fixed period repeated every day.

[0018] [1-2. Operation] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows the relationship between the open / closed state of the opening / closing unit 4, the start time Ts and end time Te of the closing period T set by the closing period setting unit 7, and the timing S of the opening operation (indicated by an inverted triangle) by the operation unit 6.

[0019] 2(a) shows a case where no opening operation is performed by the operating unit 6 after the valve is closed, and the opening / closing unit 4 continues to be in the closed state regardless of the valve closing period T. In other words, the valve will not be opened unless the operating unit 6 is operated to open the valve.

[0020] FIG. 2B shows a case where the opening operation is performed on the operation unit 6 before the start time Ts of the plugging period T. When the operation unit 6 is opened at the timing S, the opening / closing unit 4 is closed, and then closed at the start time Ts of the closing period T.

[0021] 2(c), (d), and (e) all show the case where the opening operation of the operating unit 6 is performed during the closed period T, and show the operation when considering the sudden use of gas. In this way, when the opening operation is performed at timing S during the closed period T, the operation differs depending on whether the predetermined time t after the opening operation is during the closed period T or not.

[0022] First, as shown in FIG. 2(c), if the closing period T is still in progress after a predetermined time t has elapsed since the opening operation, the opening / closing portion 4 is closed.

[0023] Also, as shown in FIG. 2(d), if the end time Te of the closed period T has passed after the predetermined time t from the opening operation, the open state is continued.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(e), even if the predetermined time t after the opening operation is during the closed period T, if the time u until the end time Te is within a preset time, the open state will be continued without being closed, which saves the trouble of having to close the valve again at the time when it is desired to open the valve, thereby improving convenience.

[0025] The predetermined time t and time u can be set arbitrarily according to the circumstances of the user.

[0026] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the gas shutoff device 1 comprises an opening / closing unit 4 that opens and closes the gas flow path (gas flow path 3), an operation unit 6 that instructs the opening and closing of the opening / closing unit 4, a closure period setting unit 7 that sets the closure period T of the opening / closing unit 4, and a control unit 8 that controls the opening and closing of the opening / closing unit 4, and the control unit 8 opens the opening / closing unit 4 by operating the operation unit 6, and closes the opening / closing unit 4 at the start time of the closure period, so that opening can be performed manually by a user, opening is conditional on the presence of a person, and forgetting to close can be covered by automating the closing, thereby improving convenience while ensuring safety.

[0027] In addition, if the control unit 8 closes the opening / closing unit 4 at the start time Ts of the closed period T and then opens the opening / closing unit 4 by operating the operating unit 6, the control unit 8 will close the opening / closing unit if a predetermined time t has elapsed since opening during the closed period, thereby ensuring safety by closing the opening / closing unit after the predetermined time even if gas is suddenly used during the closed period.

[0028] (Embodiment 2) The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0029] [2-1. Configuration] 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a gas circuit breaker 11 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the gas circuit breaker 11 has a basic configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, and is different in that a flow rate measuring unit 5 that measures the flow rate of gas flowing through a gas flow path 3 is provided.

[0030] The method of measuring the gas flow rate in the flow rate measuring unit 5 is not particularly limited and any known method can be used, but an ultrasonic method capable of measuring instantaneous flow rate is preferable. In the following explanation, the presence or absence of gas flow rate is determined by using a predetermined flow rate at which the gas flow rate is substantially 0 as a threshold, and if the flow rate is equal to or greater than this threshold, the flow rate is "present," and if the flow rate is less than the threshold, the flow rate is "absent." This threshold may be a flow rate at which the use of a gas appliance can be determined.

[0031] [2-2. Operation] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figures 4 and 5 show the relationship between the open / closed state of the opening / closing unit 4, the start time Ts and end time Te of the closing period T set by the closing period setting unit 7, the timing S of the opening operation (indicated by an inverted triangle) by the operation unit 6, and the presence or absence of the gas flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit 5 (i.e., the presence or absence of gas use).

[0032] Figure 4(a) shows the normal usage state, in which the opening operation is performed by the operating unit 6 at timing S, opening the opening / closing unit 4, and gas is used during the period until it is automatically closed at the start time Ts of the closed period T. If there is no gas being used at the start time Ts, the valve will be closed.

[0033] 4(b) and 4(c) show cases where an opening operation is performed by the operating unit 6 at timing S during the closed period T, the opening / closing unit 4 is opened, and gas is used.

[0034] First, as shown in Figure 4(b), if the gas use is stopped and a predetermined time t1 has passed, and the gas is still in a shut-off period T, the gas can be shut off to ensure safety in the event of sudden gas use during the shut-off period T.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(c), by immediately shutting off the gas supply after the gas use is stopped, safety can be ensured in the event of sudden gas use during the shut-off period T.

[0036] It goes without saying that if the gas usage is stopped after the end time Te of the closed gas supply period T, the gas supply will continue to be open.

[0037] 5(a) and (b) show cases where the opening operation is performed by the operating unit 6 at timing S, the opening / closing unit 4 is opened, and gas is still being used even when the start time Ts of the closed period T arrives.

[0038] First, as shown in Figure 5(a), by closing the valve after a certain time t2 after gas use has stopped, gas can be used continuously if it is in use, and the gas is not cut off automatically, improving convenience. Note that the certain time t2 can be appropriately set to a period of time that allows ample time after gas use has stopped, or it may be set to 0 so that the valve is closed when gas use has stopped.

[0039] In addition, as shown in Figure 5 (b), by forcibly closing the valve a predetermined time t3 after the start time Ts of the shut-off period, the gas can be forcibly shut off even if gas is in use, which is effective in ensuring safety in the event that the valve is forgotten to be turned off, etc.

[0040] In Figure 5 (c), when the opening operation is performed by the operating unit 6 at timing S to open the opening / closing unit 4, and gas is then used, the opening / closing unit 4 is not closed for a predetermined time t4 from the stoppage of gas use, regardless of the start time Ts of the closed period T. This improves convenience by allowing the gas appliance to be used again for a predetermined time after use has been stopped.

[0041] The predetermined times t1, t2, t3, and t4 can be set arbitrarily according to the circumstances of the user.

[0042] [2-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in addition to the configuration of embodiment 1, a flow rate measuring unit 5 is provided which measures the flow rate of gas, and if the flow rate measuring unit 5 does not measure a flow rate equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate for determining whether or not gas is being used at the start time Ts of the closed period T, the control unit 8 closes the opening / closing unit.By making it a condition that gas is not being used, the gas is not automatically shut off.

[0043] In addition to the configuration of embodiment 1, a flow rate measuring unit 5 is provided which measures the flow rate of gas, and when the opening / closing unit 4 is opened by operating the operating unit 6 after closing the opening / closing unit 4 at the start time Ts of the closed period T, the control unit 8 closes the opening / closing unit 4 if it is during the closed period after a predetermined time t4 has elapsed since the flow rate measuring unit 5 no longer measures a flow rate equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate, thereby ensuring safety when using gas during the closed period.

[0044] In addition to the configuration of embodiment 1, a flow rate measuring unit 5 is provided which measures the flow rate of gas, and when the flow rate measuring unit 5 measures a flow rate equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate at the start time Ts of the closed period T, the control unit 8 closes the opening / closing unit 4 at the point in time when the flow rate measuring unit 5 measures a flow rate less than the predetermined flow rate, thereby ensuring safety when using gas during the closed period.

[0045] In addition to the configuration of embodiment 1, a flow rate measuring unit 5 is provided which measures the flow rate of gas, and when a flow rate equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate is measured by the flow rate measuring unit 5 at the start time Ts of the closed period T, the control unit 8 closes the opening / closing unit 4 a predetermined time after the start time Ts of the closed period T, thereby ensuring safety in the event of sudden use of gas during the closed period T.

[0046] In addition to the configuration of embodiment 1, a flow rate measuring unit 5 is provided which measures the flow rate of gas, and the control unit 8 closes the opening / closing unit 4 a predetermined time t2 after the start time Ts of the closed period T if the flow rate measuring unit 5 measures a flow rate equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate at the start time Ts of the closed period T, thereby ensuring safety in the event of sudden use of gas during the closed period T.

[0047] Furthermore, in addition to the configuration of embodiment 1, a flow rate measuring unit 5 is provided which measures the flow rate of gas, and the control unit 8 does not close the opening / closing unit 4 for a predetermined time t4 after the flow rate measuring unit 5 detects a flow rate below a predetermined flow rate, regardless of the start time Ts of the closing period T, thereby improving convenience while ensuring safety.

[0048] 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, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] As described above, the shutoff device according to the present invention can prevent gas leaks and the like when no one is present while ensuring convenience, and can also be incorporated as a function of a gas meter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1, 11 Gas shutoff device 4 Opening and closing section 5 Flow Meter 6 Control section 7. Closing period setting section 8. Control Unit

Claims

1. An opening / closing unit for opening and closing a gas flow path, the opening / closing unit having a gas supply pipe connected to an upstream side and a gas supply pipe connected to a gas appliance to a downstream side; An opening operation unit that instructs the opening and closing unit to be opened; A closing period setting unit that sets a closing period of the opening / closing unit; A control unit that controls opening and closing of the opening / closing unit; a flow rate measuring unit that measures a flow rate of gas; and does not have a plugging operation unit, The control unit is The opening and closing part is opened by operating the opening operation part, The opening and closing unit is automatically closed at a start time of the closing period, When the opening and closing unit is automatically closed at the start time of the closing period, and then the opening and closing unit is manually opened by operating the uncoupling operation unit, if it is during the closing period after a predetermined time has elapsed since opening, the opening and closing unit is automatically closed, Furthermore, the control unit automatically closes the opening / closing unit at the start time of the closure period, and then manually opens the opening / closing unit by operating the operating unit, if the control unit is in the closure period and a predetermined time has elapsed since the flow measuring unit no longer measures a flow rate greater than or equal to a predetermined flow rate.

2. An opening / closing unit for opening and closing a gas flow path, the opening / closing unit having a gas supply pipe connected to an upstream side and a gas supply pipe connected to a gas appliance to a downstream side; An opening operation unit that instructs the opening and closing unit to be opened; A closing period setting unit that sets a closing period of the opening / closing unit; A control unit that controls opening and closing of the opening / closing unit; a flow rate measuring unit that measures a flow rate of gas; and does not have a plugging operation unit, The control unit is The opening and closing part is opened by operating the opening operation part, The opening and closing unit is automatically closed at a start time of the closing period, When the opening and closing unit is automatically closed at the start time of the closing period, and then the opening and closing unit is manually opened by operating the uncoupling operation unit, if it is during the closing period after a predetermined time has elapsed since opening, the opening and closing unit is automatically closed, The gas shutoff device is further characterized in that, if the flow measuring unit measures a flow rate greater than or equal to a predetermined flow rate at the start time of the shutoff period, the control unit closes the opening / closing unit at a point in time when the flow measuring unit measures a flow rate less than or equal to the predetermined flow rate.

3. An opening / closing unit for opening and closing a gas flow path, the opening / closing unit having a gas supply pipe connected to an upstream side and a gas supply pipe connected to a gas appliance to a downstream side; An opening operation unit that instructs the opening and closing unit to be opened; A closing period setting unit that sets a closing period of the opening / closing unit; A control unit that controls opening and closing of the opening / closing unit; a flow rate measuring unit that measures a flow rate of gas; and does not have a plugging operation unit, The control unit is The opening and closing part is opened by operating the opening operation part, The opening and closing unit is automatically closed at a start time of the closing period, When the opening and closing unit is automatically closed at the start time of the closing period, and then the opening and closing unit is manually opened by operating the uncoupling operation unit, if it is during the closing period after a predetermined time has elapsed since opening, the opening and closing unit is automatically closed, The gas shutoff device is further characterized in that, when a flow rate equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate is measured by the flow measuring unit at the start time of the shutoff period, the control unit closes the opening / closing unit a predetermined time after the start time of the shutoff period.

4. An opening / closing unit for opening and closing a gas flow path, the opening / closing unit having a gas supply pipe connected to an upstream side and a gas supply pipe connected to a gas appliance to a downstream side; An opening operation unit that instructs the opening and closing unit to be opened; A closing period setting unit that sets a closing period of the opening / closing unit; A control unit that controls opening and closing of the opening / closing unit; a flow rate measuring unit that measures a flow rate of gas; and does not have a plugging operation unit, The control unit is The opening and closing part is opened by operating the opening operation part, The opening and closing unit is automatically closed at a start time of the closing period, When the opening and closing unit is automatically closed at the start time of the closing period, and then the opening and closing unit is manually opened by operating the uncoupling operation unit, if it is during the closing period after a predetermined time has elapsed since opening, the opening and closing unit is automatically closed, The gas shutoff device is further characterized in that, when a flow rate equal to or greater than a predetermined flow rate is measured by the flow measuring unit at the start time of the shutoff period, the control unit shuts off the opening / closing unit a predetermined time after the start time.

5. 5. The gas shutoff device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the control unit does not close the opening / closing unit for a predetermined time after the flow measuring unit detects a flow rate equal to or lower than a predetermined flow rate, regardless of a start time of the closing period.

6. A gas shutoff device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the control unit closes the opening / closing unit if the flow measuring unit does not measure a flow rate greater than or equal to a predetermined flow rate at the start time of the shutoff period.

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