Water meter unit control system

Abstract

To provide a water meter unit control system capable of detecting water leaks with high accuracy.SOLUTION: A water meter unit 10, a waterworks department side information terminal 20 and / or a user side information terminal 30 are connected in a communicable state through a network. The water meter unit 10 includes a water meter 1 for measuring the flow rate of water flowing in plumbing, a valve 2 provided on an upstream side or a downstream side of the water meter 1 in the plumbing, and a control unit 3 for controlling the water meter 1 and the valve 2. The control unit 3 detects a water leak in the case of determining that water is caused to flow after the elapse of a prescribed continuous usable time on the basis of a measurement result of the water rate of water by the water meter 1, and notifies the waterworks department side information terminal 20 and / or the user side information terminal 30 of the water leak of the plumbing through the network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water meter control system in which a water meter unit is connected to a waterworks bureau information terminal and / or a user information terminal in a communicable state via a network. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a water meter unit includes a water meter that measures the flow rate of water flowing through a water pipe, and a valve such as a stopcock that is installed on the water pipe upstream or downstream of the water meter. In recent years, proposals have been made to connect the water meter unit to information terminals on the waterworks bureau side or the user side via a network to automatically measure the flow rate and control the valves (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information terminal for water meters that, when a "Shut Off" button is selected on the user's mobile device only when the flow rate has been confirmed, causes the shut-off section of the measuring device to shut off the water supply, and displays a completion notification on the user's mobile device, thereby preventing the measuring device's battery from being drained by inappropriate valve operation.

[0004] Patent document 2 also discloses a water meter having a flow rate detection section, a flow rate control section, and a control unit, in which the flow rate control section 3 has a valve body 34 that can open and close a flow path opening 32, and a stepping motor 35 that drives the valve body 34 to open and close, and the drive of the stepping motor 35 is controlled by a control unit 4.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a water meter that includes a storage box, an automatic valve with a drive unit located inside the storage box, a water meter, and a water stop valve. The storage box contains a control device that is connected to the automatic valve and water meter, and the control device sends a signal from the water meter to the outside and opens and closes the automatic valve in response to a drive signal from the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-36050 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-258201 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-317972 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, there is a problem with either type of water meter control in that water leaks cannot be detected with high accuracy.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a water meter unit control system that can accurately detect water leaks and thereby enable the waterworks bureau or users to remotely open and close the valves of the water meter unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a water meter unit control system in which the water meter unit and a waterworks bureau information terminal and / or a user information terminal are connected in a state in which they can communicate via a network, wherein the water meter unit comprises a water meter that measures the flow rate of water flowing through the waterworks, a valve provided upstream or downstream of the water meter in the waterworks, and a control unit that controls the water meter and the valve, and the control unit determines whether water has flowed for a predetermined continuous usable time based on the water flow rate measurement result by the water meter, and if it determines that water has flowed for a predetermined continuous usable time, it detects a water leak and notifies the waterworks bureau information terminal and / or the user information terminal of the water leak via the network.

[0010] This system detects a water leak when water flows through the waterworks for more than a specified continuous usable time, making it possible to accurately detect a water leak and easily and reliably notify the waterworks bureau and users of the water leak.

[0011] Furthermore, the control unit may control the valve to close when it receives a command to stop the water supply via a network from the waterworks bureau information terminal and / or the user information terminal that notified the water leak. In this way, when the waterworks bureau or a user confirms a water leak, they can use their own information terminal to command the water meter unit to stop the water supply, thereby easily and reliably closing the valve of the water meter unit.

[0012] The control unit may also control the valve to close immediately upon detecting a water leak or after a predetermined closing time has elapsed. This allows the valve of the water meter unit to be quickly closed when a water leak occurs.

[0013] The control unit may also set the continuous water usage time for leak detection in response to a command from the waterworks bureau information terminal and / or the user information terminal, allowing the waterworks bureau or the user to easily set the continuous water usage time for leak detection from their own information terminal via a network.

[0014] The control unit may also have a continuous use mode in which water leak detection is not performed and a water leak detection mode in which water leak detection is performed, and in the continuous use mode, continuous water use is permitted without detecting water leaks, while in the water leak detection mode, the control unit may determine whether water has flowed through the water for a predetermined continuous use time based on the water flow rate measurement results from the water meter, and detect a water leak if it determines that water has flowed through the water for the predetermined continuous use time. In this way, when the continuous use mode is set, the user can continuously use the water for a long period of time, while when the normal water leak detection mode is set, water leaks can be monitored.

[0015] Furthermore, the control unit may switch from the continuous use mode to the water leak detection mode when a predetermined switching time has elapsed in the continuous use mode. In this way, even if the continuous use mode is set, the continuous use mode is automatically switched to the water leak detection mode when the predetermined switching time has elapsed in the continuous use mode, so that it is possible to prevent a water leak from not being detected due to forgetting to switch to the continuous use mode.

[0016] The control unit may also switch between the continuous use mode and the water leak detection mode in response to a command from the waterworks bureau information terminal and / or the user information terminal, allowing the waterworks bureau or the user to easily switch between the continuous use mode and the water leak detection mode from their own information terminal via a network.

[0017] The control unit may also detect a water leak when it determines that water at a flow rate below a predetermined flow rate has flowed through the water for a predetermined continuous use time. This allows for accurate detection of a water leak when a small amount of water is leaking, such as when the water faucet is not closed properly or when part of the water pipe is damaged. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, a water leak is detected when water flows through the waterworks for more than a predetermined continuous usable time, so that water leaks can be detected with high accuracy and waterworks authorities and users can be notified of water leaks easily and reliably. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a water meter unit control system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the water meter unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side configuration diagram of the water meter unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 4]2A and 2B are a plan sectional view and a front sectional view showing a state in which a valve of the water meter unit of FIG. 1 is open. [Figure 5] 2A and 2B are a plan sectional view and a front sectional view showing a state in which a valve of the water meter unit of FIG. 1 is closed. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the water meter unit of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of water leakage detection in the present system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Next, an embodiment of a water meter unit control system (hereinafter referred to as the present system) according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0021] [Overall configuration of this system] As shown in Figure 1, this system 1 comprises a water meter unit 10 installed in a water supply facility, a water bureau information terminal 20 located at the water bureau, a user information terminal 30 owned by a water user, and a server 40 connected to the water meter unit 10, the water bureau information terminal 20, and the user information terminal 30 via a network.

[0022] The waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and the user information terminal 30 are smartphones, tablet terminals, mobile phone terminals, wearable terminals, or PCs owned by the users, and communicate with the server 40 via a network such as the Internet.

[0023] As described above, the server 40 is connected to the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and the user information terminal 30 via a network in a state in which they can communicate with each other, and is also connected to the water meter unit 10 via a network in a state in which they can communicate with each other, and as will be described later, controls communication between the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and the user information terminal 30 and the server 40, and stores specified data.

[0024] [Configuration of water meter unit 10] The configuration of the water meter unit 10 will be specifically described below.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the water meter unit 10 is provided with a water meter 1 that is installed midway through a water pipe 4 and measures the flow rate of water flowing through the water pipe 4, and a valve 2 that is installed downstream of the water meter 1 on the water pipe 4, and is electrically connected to a control unit 3 shown in Figure 7 that controls the water meter 1 and the valve 2.

[0026] The water meter 1 is connected to a water pipe 4 and includes an inlet portion 11 through which water flows in from the water pipe 4, an outlet portion 12 through which water flows out, and a meter main body portion 13 to which the inlet portion 11 and the outlet portion 12 are connected.

[0027] The meter main body 13 is made of a metal or resin casing and includes a measuring unit 131 that measures the water flow rate and pressure, a display unit 132 that displays the water flow rate measured by the measuring unit 131, and piping 134 that accommodates electrical wiring between the valve.

[0028] The measuring unit 131 houses a strainer, rectifier, impeller, and various sensors (not shown), which are the same as those mounted on a conventional water meter 1. For example, the impeller is rotated by the flow of water flowing in from the inlet 11, and a rotating magnetic field generated by a magnet rotating with the impeller is detected by a flow sensor such as a magnetic sensor, and the flow rate of water flowing through the flow pipe 4 is measured in the control unit 31 (described later) based on the detection result. In addition, the pressure of the water flowing in from the inlet 11 is detected by a pressure sensor, and the pressure of the water flowing through the flow pipe 4 is measured in the control unit 31 (described later) based on the detection result.

[0029] The display unit 132 is provided on the top of the meter main body 13 and displays the water flow rate measured by the measuring unit 131 in a counter format. Normally, it is closed by a meter cover 133, and when checking the flow rate, the meter cover 133 is opened and the flow rate displayed on the display unit 132 is checked.

[0030] The valve 2 comprises a valve body 21 connected to the outlet 12 of the water meter 1, a ball plug body 22 housed inside the valve body 21, a drive unit 23 that rotates the ball plug body 22 about its axis, and a rotation transmission mechanism 24 that transmits the rotation of the drive unit 23 to the ball plug body 22.

[0031] The valve main body 21 is composed of a casing whose central portion is formed with a diameter slightly larger than the outlet portion 12 of the water meter 1, and the inlet side opening 211 is connected to the outlet portion 12 of the water meter 1, while the outlet side opening 212 is connected to the water pipe 4, forming a water flow direction F in which the fluid flowing in from the inlet side opening 211 passes through the inside of the valve main body 21 (the flow hole 221 of the ball plug body 22) and then flows out from the outlet side opening 212.

[0032] Furthermore, the valve body 21 is provided with metal, resin or rubber ball seats 214 at the inlet opening 211 and the outlet opening 212, and these ball seats 214 support the ball plug body 22 by sandwiching it from both the inlet and outlet sides.

[0033] Furthermore, the valve main body 21 has an upper opening 213 provided with a cover tube 242 of the rotation transmission mechanism 24 described later, and the rotation shaft 241 of the rotation transmission mechanism 24 is inserted toward the inside of the valve main body 21.

[0034] 6, the ball plug 22 is a metal or resin ball member formed in a generally spherical shape, with a through-hole 221 formed in the center. The ball plug 22 is housed inside the valve main body 21 in a state in which it can rotate about its axis horizontally, and as will be described later, when water is passing through, the axial direction of the flow hole 221 coincides with the water flow direction F, but when water is stopped, the ball plug 22 rotates about its axis horizontally alternately at an angle of 90 degrees so that the axial direction of the flow hole 221 and the water flow direction F intersect at a right angle.

[0035] As described above, the ball plug 22 maintains its watertightness by the ball seat 214 of the valve body 21. Therefore, when water is flowing through, all of the water that flows in from the inlet opening 211 of the valve body 21 passes through the flow holes 221 of the ball plug 22 and then flows out from the outlet opening 212 of the valve body 21.

[0036] The drive unit 23 is disposed vertically above the ball plug body 22, and includes a drive motor 231 having a rotation shaft in the vertical direction, and a reducer 232 for reducing the rotation speed of the drive motor 231. The drive motor 231 and reducer 232 are housed in a case 233 together with a communication unit 32 and a power supply battery 35, which will be described later.

[0037] The rotation transmission mechanism 24 includes a rotating shaft 241 extending in the vertical direction and a cover tube 242 that covers the periphery of the rotating shaft 241. One end of the rotating shaft 241 is connected to the drive unit 23 via a reducer 232, while the other end of the rotating shaft 241 is connected to the upper end of the ball plug body 22. A case part 233 is connected to the upper end of the cover tube 242, and the case part 233 is supported by the upper end of the cover tube 242.

[0038] The valve 2 has an open / close sensor that functions as a limit switch (not shown), which detects and stores the fully open or fully closed state of the valve 2 by the ball plug 22. The valve 2 may also be configured so that the open or closed state of the valve 2 can be confirmed by an LED or the like.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7, the control unit 3 comprises a control unit 31 with microcomputer functions to control each part, a communication unit 32 with an antenna and external connection terminal for communicating with external information terminals such as the waterworks bureau and users, an operation display unit 33 for performing various displays and operations for control, and a timer unit 34 for measuring the time water has flowed, etc., and is electrically connected to a measurement unit 131 having a flow rate sensor and pressure sensor of the water meter 1 and a valve 2 having a drive motor 231.

[0040] [Control unit 3 functions] The various functions of the control section 31 of the control unit 3 in the water meter unit 10 will be specifically described below.

[0041] The control unit 31 has a valve control function 31A that controls the drive unit 23 to open and close the valve 2, a water leak detection function 31B that detects water leaks, a mode switching function 31C that switches between continuous use mode and water leak detection mode, and a data transmission function 31D that transmits various data in the water meter unit 10 (water flow rate, water pressure, flow direction, remaining battery power, open / close status of the valve 2, etc.).

[0042] Regarding the valve control function 31A, when the control unit 31 receives an instruction to turn on or off water from the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 or the user information terminal 30, the control unit 31 controls the drive unit 23 to open or close the valve 2 by rotating the ball plug body 22 axially in a predetermined direction or in the opposite direction in a horizontal plane via the rotation transmission mechanism 24.

[0043] Specifically, when water is passed through, the control unit 31 commands the drive unit 23 to pass water, and as shown in Figure 4, the drive unit 23 rotates the ball plug body 22 by an angle of 90 degrees in a predetermined direction in the horizontal plane (in this embodiment, counterclockwise when viewed from above) via the rotation transmission mechanism 24, thereby opening the valve 2 while aligning the axial direction of the flow hole 221 of the ball plug body 22 with the water flow direction.

[0044] Furthermore, when the control unit 31 commands the drive unit 23 to stop the water flow, as shown in FIG. 5, the drive unit 23 rotates the ball plug body 22 by an angle of 90 degrees in the opposite direction in the horizontal plane (in this embodiment, clockwise when viewed from above) via the rotation transmission mechanism 24, thereby closing the valve 2 while intersecting the axial direction of the flow hole 221 of the ball plug body 22 with the water flow direction.

[0045] Next, the water leak detection function 31B will be explained. The control unit 31 determines whether water has flowed for a predetermined continuous usable time based on the water flow rate measurement results from the water meter 1, and if it determines that water has flowed for a predetermined continuous usable time, it detects a water leak and notifies the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and / or the user information terminal 30 of the water leak via the network. With regard to this water leak detection function 31B, the control unit 31 detects a water leak if the water flow rate does not reach 0 even after the predetermined continuous usable time has passed after starting to use the water service (after detecting the water flow rate).

[0046] The control unit 31 sets a predetermined continuous usable time for detecting a water leak in response to a command from the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and / or the user information terminal 30. This allows the waterworks bureau or the user to easily set the continuous usable time for detecting a water leak from their own information terminals 20, 30 via the network.

[0047] Next, the mode switching function 31C will be described. The control unit 31 has a continuous use mode in which water leak detection is not performed, and a water leak detection mode in which water leak detection is performed. When the continuous use mode is set, the control unit 31 allows continuous use of water without detecting water leaks, while when the water leak detection mode is set, the control unit 31 executes the above-mentioned water leak detection function 31B. According to this, when the continuous use mode is set, the user can continuously use the water for a long period of time to prevent freezing, etc., while when the normal water leak detection mode is set, water leaks can be monitored.

[0048] The control unit 31 switches between the continuous use mode and the water leak detection mode in response to a command from the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and / or the user information terminal 30. This allows the waterworks bureau or the user to easily switch between the continuous use mode and the water leak detection mode from their own information terminals 20, 30 via the network.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit 31 may switch from the continuous use mode to the water leak detection mode when a predetermined switching time has elapsed in the continuous use mode. In this way, even if the continuous use mode is set, the continuous use mode is automatically switched to the water leak detection mode when the predetermined switching time has elapsed in the continuous use mode, so it is possible to prevent a water leak from not being detected due to forgetting to switch to the continuous use mode.

[0050] Next, the data transmission function 31D will be explained. Upon receiving a request from the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and / or the user information terminal 30, various data in the water meter unit 10, such as the water flow rate measurement results by the water meter 1, the water pressure measurement results, the open / close status of the valve, etc., are transmitted to the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and / or the user information terminal 30.

[0051] [Water leak detection operation of this system] Next, the operation of water leakage detection in this system will be described with reference to Figure 8. In the following description and drawings, "step" will be abbreviated as "S".

[0052] In the water meter unit 10, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the unit is in "water leak detection mode" (S1), and if it determines that the unit is not in "water leak detection mode" (NO in S1), it switches to "continuous use mode" and allows continuous use of water without detecting water leaks (S2), while if it determines that the unit is in "water leak detection mode" (YES in S1), it switches to "water leak detection mode" and detects water leaks (S3). Note that the control unit 31 may switch from continuous use mode (S2) to water leak detection mode (S3) when a predetermined switching time has elapsed in the continuous use mode.

[0053] Then, based on the water flow rate measurement result by water meter 1, control unit 31 determines whether water has been flowing for a predetermined continuous usable time or not (S4), and if it determines that water has been flowing for a predetermined continuous usable time (YES in S4), it detects a water leak (S5) and notifies waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and / or user information terminal 30 of the water leak via the network (S6).On the other hand, if it determines that water has not been flowing for a predetermined continuous usable time (NO in S4), the process of S4 is repeated.

[0054] Next, the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and / or the user information terminal 30 display on the display unit of the terminal that there is a possibility of a water leak (S7).

[0055] Then, after the waterworks bureau or the user confirms that there is a possibility of a water leak, the waterworks bureau or the user performs a specified operation, causing the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and / or the user information terminal 30 to send a command to stop the water supply to the water meter unit 10 via the network (S8).

[0056] Next, in the water meter unit 10, when the control unit 31 receives an instruction to stop the water flow from the waterworks information terminal 20 or the user information terminal 30, the drive unit 23 closes the valve 2 by rotating the ball plug body 22 about its axis in a predetermined direction in the horizontal plane via the rotation transmission mechanism 24 (S9).

[0057] In this embodiment, the valve 2 of the water meter unit 10 uses the ball plug 22, but other valves such as an electromagnetic valve may also be used.

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit 31 controls the valve 2 to close when it receives a command to stop the water supply via the network from the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and / or the user information terminal 30 that notified the water leak, but it may also control the valve 2 to close immediately upon detecting a water leak or after a predetermined closing time has elapsed. This allows the valve 2 of the water meter unit 10 to be quickly closed when a water leak occurs. Note that when the valve 2 is automatically closed in this way, the valve 2 can be opened by operating the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and / or the user information terminal 30, or by operating a release button (not shown) provided on the water meter unit 10.

[0059] Furthermore, the control unit 31 is configured to be able to switch between the continuous use mode and the water leakage detection mode using the mode switching function 31C, but it may also be configured to have only the water leakage detection mode.

[0060] The control unit 31 may also detect a water leak when it determines that water at a flow rate below a predetermined flow rate has flowed through the water after a predetermined continuous use time has elapsed. This makes it possible to accurately detect a water leak when a small amount of water is leaking, for example, when the water faucet is not closed properly or when part of the water pipe is damaged.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments within the same scope as the present invention or within an equivalent scope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...Water meter 11...Inlet part 12... Outlet part 13...Meter body 131...Measuring unit 132...Display section 133...Meter cover 2...Valve 21...Valve body 211...Inlet opening 212...Outlet opening 213...upper opening 214...Ball seat 22...Ball plug 221…Flow hole 23...Drive unit 231...Drive motor 232...Reducer 233…Case part 24...Rotation transmission mechanism 241...Rotation axis 242...Cover tube 3...Control unit 31...Control unit 32…Communications Department 33...Operation display section 34...Timer section 35...Power battery 4…Water pipe 10...Water meter unit 20...Waterworks Bureau information terminal 30...User information terminal 40...Server

Claims

1. A water meter unit control system in which a water meter unit and a waterworks bureau information terminal and / or a user information terminal are connected in a state in which they can communicate via a network, The water meter unit includes a water meter that measures the flow rate of water flowing through the waterworks, a valve that is provided on the waterworks upstream or downstream of the water meter, and a control unit that controls the water meter and the valve, The control unit determines whether water has flowed for a predetermined continuous usable time based on the water flow rate measurement result by the water meter, and if it determines that water has flowed for a predetermined continuous usable time, detects a water leak and notifies the waterworks bureau information terminal and / or the user information terminal of the water leak via a network; The control unit has a continuous use mode in which water leakage detection is not performed and a water leakage detection mode in which water leakage detection is performed, In continuous use mode, water is allowed to be used continuously without detecting water leaks. In the water leak detection mode, the water meter unit control system determines whether water has flowed through the tap for a predetermined continuous usable time based on the water flow rate measurement results by the water meter, and detects a water leak if it determines that water has flowed through the tap for a predetermined continuous usable time.

2. 2. The water meter unit control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the valve to close when a command to stop water flow is received via a network from the waterworks bureau information terminal that notified the water leak and / or the user information terminal.

3. 3. The water meter unit control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the valve to close simultaneously with detecting a water leak or after a predetermined closing time has elapsed.

4. 4. The water meter unit control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets a continuous water use time for detecting a water leak in response to a command from the waterworks bureau information terminal and / or the user information terminal.

5. 5. The water meter unit control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches from the continuous use mode to the water leak detection mode when a predetermined switching time has elapsed in the continuous use mode.

6. 6. The water meter unit control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches between a continuous use mode and a water leak detection mode in response to a command from the waterworks bureau information terminal and / or the user information terminal.

7. 7. The water meter unit control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects a water leak when it determines that water at a flow rate below a predetermined flow rate has flowed through the water supply for a predetermined continuous usable time.

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