Liquid Level Measurement System

Abstract

To improve convenience in managing the liquid level of liquid.SOLUTION: A liquid level measurement system includes: a transmitter 1 that emits a signal that reaches within a predetermined distance range; a float 2 that floats on the surface of liquid whose transition is to be measured and has the transmitter disposed inside; a receiver 3 that detects a distance h from the transmitter 1 by receiving the signal emitted from the transmitter 1 disposed inside the float 2 while the float 2 is floating on the surface of the liquid; and a measurement device 4 that measures a liquid level H of the surface of the liquid based on the distance h detected by the receiver 3 and outputs information based on the liquid level H.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid level measurement system. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Measuring the level of a liquid has been widely practiced for some time. In order to improve the convenience of measuring the level of a liquid, a technique for measuring the level of a liquid using, for example, a laser has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-102744 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, it cannot be said that the conventional techniques including those disclosed in Patent Document 1 have been able to fully meet the needs of users.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to improve the convenience of managing the liquid level. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a liquid level measurement system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a transmitter that transmits a signal that reaches within a predetermined distance; a housing that floats on the surface of the liquid whose transition is to be measured and that accommodates the transmitter; a receiving device that detects a distance from the transmitting device by receiving the signal transmitted from the transmitting device disposed inside the housing while the housing is floating on the surface of the liquid; a measuring device that measures a liquid level of the surface of the liquid based on the distance detected by the receiving device and outputs information based on the liquid level; Equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of managing the liquid level. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an example of a liquid level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating specific application examples of a liquid level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a service that can be realized by a urea water delivery system to which a liquid level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a container used in the present service of FIG. 3, that is, a container in which an embodiment of the liquid-level measurement system of the present invention is placed. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a container used in the present service of FIG. 3, that is, a container in which an embodiment of the liquid-level measurement system of the present invention is placed. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific application example of the present service that can be realized by a urea water delivery system to which a liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a urea water delivery system to which a liquid level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a measurement device in a urea water delivery system to which a liquid level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 9] 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a urea water delivery system to which a liquid level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 10]10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on various terminals. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management screen displayed on an agency terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management screen displayed on an agency terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management screen displayed on a driver's terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management screen displayed on a driver's terminal. [Figure 15] 1 is an image diagram showing an example in which a liquid level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to measure the water level of a river. [Figure 16] 1 is an image diagram showing an example in which a liquid level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to measure the water level of a river. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] First, an overview of a liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an example of a liquid level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] The liquid level measurement system shown in FIG. 1 comprises a transmitter 1, a float 2, a receiver 3, and a measurement device 4.

[0012] The transmitter 1 is a device that transmits a signal such as a beacon, such as an electric wave or an infrared signal that can reach within a predetermined range. The float 2, with the transmitter 1 stored therein, floats on the liquid level Wa, the liquid level of which is to be measured. When the receiver 3 receives a signal transmitted from the transmitter 1, the receiver 3 detects the distance from the transmitter 1 based on the signal, and outputs information indicating the distance (hereinafter referred to as "distance information"). Based on the distance information output from the receiver 3, the measuring device 4 detects the distance Ha from the reference water level to the liquid surface on which the float 2 is floating, i.e., the liquid level of the liquid surface, and outputs information based on the liquid level. Here, the information based on the liquid level is information indicating the liquid level itself or a predetermined physical quantity calculated based on the liquid level (for example, the remaining amount (volume) of a container, which will be described later). In the example of Fig. 1, for the sake of convenience, the information based on the liquid level is assumed to be information indicating the liquid level (hereinafter referred to as "liquid level information").

[0013] Specifically, for example, a float 2 is floating on a liquid surface Wa at a liquid level Ha from the reference water level, and a transmitter 1 stored in the float 2 is separated from a receiver 3 by a distance ha. In this case, when the receiver 3 receives a signal from the transmitter 1, it detects the distance ha based on the signal and outputs distance information indicating the distance ha. Here, an identifier ID that uniquely identifies the transmitter 1 is superimposed on the signal transmitted from the transmitter 1. Therefore, the distance information output from the receiver 3 includes the identifier ID as well as the distance ha. Therefore, hereinafter, such distance information will be referred to as "distance information (ha, ID)". The measuring device 4 detects the liquid level Ha of the liquid surface Wa based on the distance information (ha, ID), and outputs liquid level information indicating the liquid level Ha of the liquid surface Wa. Here, the liquid level information includes an identifier ID as well as the liquid level Ha of the liquid surface Wa. Therefore, hereinafter, such liquid level information will be referred to as "liquid level information (Ha, ID)."

[0014] Then, the situation changes, and float 2 begins to float on the liquid surface Wb at a liquid level Hb above the reference water level, and the transmitter 1 stored in float 2 is now separated from receiver 3 by a distance hb. In this case, when the receiver 3 receives a signal from the transmitter 1, it detects the distance hb based on the signal and outputs distance information (hb, ID). The measuring device 4 detects the liquid level Hb of the liquid surface Wb based on the distance information (hb, ID) and outputs liquid level information (Hb, ID).

[0015] Next, a specific application example of the above-described liquid level measurement system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific application example of the liquid-level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the example of Figure 2, the object for measuring the liquid level is contained in a specified container, and the information based on the liquid level is information indicating the remaining amount (volume) in the container (hereinafter referred to as "remaining amount information").

[0016] In the example of Fig. 2, a set of transmitter 1 (float 2) and receiver 3 is disposed in each of a plurality of containers. Specifically, in the example of Fig. 2, liquid is sealed in each of N containers C1 to Cn (n is any integer value equal to or greater than 1), and floats 2-1 to 2-n (n is any integer equal to or greater than 1) float on the liquid surface, respectively, and transmitters 1-1 to 1-n are stored in each of the floats 2-1 to 2-n. Furthermore, receivers 3-1 to 3-n are fixed to the upper surface of each of the N containers C1 to Cn, respectively.

[0017] In the example of Fig. 2(A), one measuring device 4 is provided overall for N pairs (i.e., pairs of transmitter 1-1 and receiver 3-1 through pairs of transmitter 1-n and receiver 3-n), and in the example of Fig. 2(B), one measuring device 4 is provided individually for each of the N pairs. In other words, the number of measuring devices 4 is not particularly limited to Figs. 2(A) and (B), and may be any number that can comprehensively output information based on the liquid level for each of the N pairs (remaining amount information in the example of Fig. 2).

[0018] Specifically, for example, in a specified container Ck (k is any integer value between 1 and n), a float 2-k is floating on a liquid surface Wk at a liquid level Hk from the reference water level, and a transmitter 1-k stored in the float 2-k is separated from a receiver 3-k by a distance hk. In this case, when the receiver 3-k receives a signal from the transmitter 1-k, it detects the distance hk based on the signal and outputs distance information (hk, Ck). In the example of FIG. 2, a predetermined transmitter 1-k is placed in the container Ck, and therefore the identifier ID of the transmitter 1-k is used as the identifier Ck that indicates the container Ck. As a result, when the measuring device 4 receives the distance information (hk, Ck), it can recognize that the distance information (hk, Ck) belongs to the container Ck identified by the identifier Ck. The measuring device 4 detects the liquid level Hk of the liquid surface Wk of the container Ck based on the distance information (hk, Ck), calculates the remaining amount Vk by multiplying this by the bottom area of ​​the container Ck, and outputs the remaining amount information (Hk, Ck).

[0019] Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 6, an overview of an example of a service (hereinafter referred to as "this service") that can be provided by a urea water delivery system to which a liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of this service that can be realized by a urea water delivery system to which a liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0020] This service provides urea water for purifying gases (mainly nitrogen oxides NOx) emitted by diesel engine vehicles to each of multiple dealerships G managed by agency A. Containers for this urea water are wholesaled from the provider of this service to agency A, and then provided by agency A to each of the multiple dealerships G. That is, a container C is placed at each of the multiple dealerships G. According to this service, the remaining amount of urea water in each container placed at each of the multiple dealerships G is continuously monitored, and urea water is delivered to each container C (of multiple dealerships G) based on the remaining amount in the container. This urea water delivery is carried out by trucks managed by agency A.

[0021] The service provider S is a business operator or the like that provides the urea water and the containers C, and manages the server 6. As will be described in detail later, each of the containers C placed in each of the multiple retail stores G is equipped with a liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The agent A is a business operator who receives urea water from the service provider S and wholesales the urea water to multiple dealers G.

[0023] The driver D receives urea water from a contracted agency and delivers it to each of the multiple dealerships G. That is, the driver D visits the dealerships G and refills each container C located at each of the multiple dealerships G with urea water.

[0024] The dealer G is, for example, a gas station operator, and sells urea water to general users who drive diesel engine vehicles. That is, a container C containing urea water is placed in each of the multiple dealers G.

[0025] Below, the outline of the flow of this service will be explained in detail along steps ST1 to ST3 in FIG. Before describing the steps, an overview of the container C used in this service will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a container used in the present service of FIG. 3, that is, a container in which an embodiment of the liquid-level measurement system of the present invention is placed.

[0026] The configuration of the container C used in this service is shown in Figures 4(A) and (B). 4(A), the container C has a predetermined volume, and in this embodiment, for example, a cubic container with one meter on each side, i.e., a 1000-liter tank, is used as the container C. By using the container C having a known volume in this way, the bottom area becomes a predetermined value (1 square meter in this example), and therefore, once the liquid level H of the urea water in the container C is detected by one embodiment of the liquid level measurement system of the present invention, the remaining amount V of the urea water (volume V) can be easily and accurately calculated.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4(B), the container C is used while being placed on a horizontal surface, and the inside of the container C is filled with urea water. A line F is installed on the top surface of the interior of the container C so as to be suspended in the direction of gravity. The line F has a length equal to the height of the container C, i.e., a length of 1 m in this embodiment. A weight X is attached to the tip of the line F on the side that comes into contact with the bottom surface. A float 2 with a string-like loop L attached thereto is floated on the surface of the urea water with a line F threaded through the loop L. A transmitter 1 is stored in the float 2. The receiver 3 is fixed to the top surface of the container C at a predetermined position.

[0028] By adopting a container C having such a configuration, the remaining amount V of the container C can be calculated accurately. That is, as described above, the float 2 to which the string-like loop L is joined is floated on the liquid surface with the fishing line F threaded through the loop L. This prevents the float 2 from floating on the liquid surface (changing its position in the horizontal direction), thereby suppressing errors that occur in the distance h between the transmitter 1 and the receiver 3. As described above, weight X is attached to the tip of line F on the side that comes into contact with the bottom surface. This prevents line F from swinging horizontally, which in turn prevents the position of float 2 in the horizontal direction from changing, thereby suppressing errors that occur in the distance h between transmitter 1 and receiver 3. By placing one embodiment of the liquid level measurement system of the present invention in each of the containers C having such characteristics, the liquid level information and remaining amount information, i.e., the liquid level H and remaining amount V, can be accurately output.

[0029] As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the remaining amount information output by the measuring device 4 includes information that can identify the container C, i.e., information that can identify the store G where the container C is located. In other words, the container C (retailer G) and the remaining amount V of the container C (retailer G) are linked and managed as remaining amount information, so that the remaining amount V of each of multiple containers C (multiple retailers G) is clearly distinguished from the remaining amount V of other containers C and can be easily identified.

[0030] Next, an example of a container C used in this service is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a container used in the present service of FIG. 3, that is, a container in which an embodiment of the liquid-level measurement system of the present invention is placed.

[0031] Fig. 5(A) is a diagram showing a "float type" container C configured so that a line F with a weight X attached thereto is passed through a loop L of a float 2. This "float type" container C has been described above using Fig. 4(B), so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0032] On the other hand, FIG. 5(B) shows a "three-point fixed type" container C in which three floats 2-1 to 2-3 are fixed at predetermined positions on a line F at equal intervals in the direction in which gravity acts. As in Fig. 4(B), a line F is installed on the upper surface of the interior of the container C shown in Fig. 5(B) so as to be suspended in the direction of gravity. Floats 2-1 to 2-3, each housing three traffic lights 1-1 to 1-3, are fixed to the line F so as to divide the length of the line F into four equal parts, i.e., at 25 cm intervals in this embodiment. In such a "three-point fixed type" container C, three transmitters 1-1 to 1-3 and one receiver 3 are arranged as a set. Furthermore, each of transmitters 1-1 to 1-3 floats on the liquid surface at least when stored in float 2; that is, transmitters 1-1 to 1-3 are adapted to emit a signal when their fixed positions and the liquid level become equal.

[0033] 5(B), when the receiver 3 receives a signal transmitted from the transmitter 1-1, it can recognize that the signal was transmitted from the transmitter 1-1 based on the identifier contained in the signal. Then, based on the distance h (25 cm in this embodiment) between the transmitter 1-1 and the receiver 3, the receiver 3 outputs that the liquid level H1 is 75 cm and the remaining volume V is 750 liters. The situation then changes, and the receiver 3 receives a signal transmitted from the transmitter 1-2 and recognizes the signal as having been transmitted from the transmitter 1-2 based on the identifier contained in the signal. In this case, the receiver 3 outputs that the liquid level H2 is 50 cm and the remaining volume V is 500 liters, based on the distance h (50 cm in this example) between the transmitter 1-2 and the receiver 3. The identifiers of the transmitters 1-1 to 1-3 are associated with the containers C in which the transmitters 1-1 to 1-3 are placed, and are also used as information that can identify the containers C. By employing such various types of containers C, the liquid level information and remaining amount information, that is, the liquid level H and remaining amount V of the urea water can be accurately output.

[0034] Returning to Figure 3, we will now explain the outline of the flow of this service.

[0035] In step ST1, the liquid level information and remaining amount information of the container C outputted by the measuring device 4 (not shown in FIG. 3) is transmitted to the server 6 as remaining amount data of the container C. Then, based on the remaining amount data of the received container C, the server 6 recognizes which container C the remaining amount data belongs to, i.e., which retailer G the data belongs to, and then performs a predetermined analysis process. Here, such analysis process is performed separately for each agent A. In other words, the server 6 performs the predetermined analysis process for each of one or more retailers G (containers C) under the jurisdiction of the agent A. For example, in such an analysis process, the server 6 extracts one or more containers C (dealers G) that require urea water refilling, based on the received remaining amount data of the containers C. Furthermore, the server 6 generates delivery information including delivery routes for delivering the urea water to each of the one or more containers C (dealers G), based on the one or more containers C (dealers G) that require urea water refilling and the location information of the one or more containers C (dealers G).

[0036] In step ST2, the delivery information thus generated is provided to the driver D, the agent A (the agent A that has jurisdiction over the one or more dealerships G), the service provider S, and the like.

[0037] In step ST3, the driver D visits one or more dealers G based on the provided delivery information and delivers the urea water to each of them.

[0038] In this way, according to this service, the liquid level information (liquid level H) and remaining amount information (remaining amount V) of the aqueous urea solution sealed in each container C of one or more dealers G under the jurisdiction of the predetermined agency A are acquired, and one or more containers C that need to be refilled are extracted from the containers C based on the liquid level information and remaining amount information of each container C. The information extracted in this way is provided to the driver D, the agency A, the service provider S, etc. The dealer G does not need to measure the liquid level H or the remaining amount V in the container C by himself or place an order for urea water based on the liquid level H or the remaining amount V, as the urea water is automatically delivered as needed, allowing the dealer G to easily and safely manage the remaining amount (inventory) of urea water. In addition, for example, because the container C that needs to be replenished is automatically extracted, the agent A can systematically wholesale urea water without running out of stock at each of the one or more retail stores G (container C) under its jurisdiction. As a result, the agent A can manage its business in a systematic manner, and can expect to increase its sales.

[0039] Next, a specific application example of this service will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific application example of this service that can be realized by a urea water delivery system to which a liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6, in this example, containers C1 to C9 are respectively placed in stores G1 to G9. That is, in the example of Fig. 6, agent A is in charge of stores G1 to G9 (containers C1 to C9).

[0041] In step SF1, the liquid level information and remaining amount information of each of the containers C1 to C9 are periodically transmitted to the server 6 as remaining amount data, together with an identifier that can identify each of the containers C1 to C9 (i.e., an identifier that can identify each of the retail stores G1 to G9).

[0042] In step SF2, the server 6 managed by the service provider S executes a predetermined analysis process based on the remaining amount data of each of the containers C1 to C9. For example, in such an analysis process, the server 6 extracts one or more containers C among the containers C1 to C9 that require urea water refilling based on the remaining amount data of each of the containers C1 to C9. Then, based on the extracted one or more containers C and the respective location information of the one or more containers C, the server 6 generates delivery information for delivering urea water to each of the one or more containers C. 6, containers C1 to C8 (retailers G1 to G8) are extracted as containers C to be refilled with urea water. Then, based on the extracted containers C1 to C8 (retailers G1 to G8) and the location information of the containers C1 to C8 (retailers G1 to G8), delivery information for delivering the urea water to each of the containers C1 to C8 (retailers G1 to G8) is generated.

[0043] Here, the delivery information generated by the server 6 will be explained in more detail using the above-mentioned specific example. The server 6 classifies each of the extracted containers C1 to C8 (sales stores G1 to G8) into one or more delivery groups. Here, a delivery group refers to a set of one or more containers C (dealers G) that a driver D can visit in a given truck per day to deliver urea water to. The set of one or more containers C (dealers G) that belong to each of such delivery groups is determined by, for example, the driver D's daily working hours, the truck's maximum load capacity, the remaining amount V (amount that needs to be replenished) in each container C, location information of the containers C (dealers G), etc. That is, the server 6 classifies each of the extracted containers C1 to C8 (retailers G1 to G8) into one or more delivery groups, in this embodiment, a delivery group of containers C1 to C3, a delivery group of containers C4 and C5, and a delivery group of containers C6 to C8. Furthermore, the server 6 generates an optimum route as a delivery route for delivering urea water to each container C (dealer G) belonging to the delivery group to be processed, for each of the classified delivery groups. In this way, the server 6 generates delivery information including a delivery route for delivering the urea water to each of one or more containers C (dealers G) that require refilling.

[0044] In step SF3, the classified delivery groups are assigned to the drivers D1 to D3 who will be working that day by the dispatch leader AL belonging to the agency A. Then, based on the generated delivery information, each of the drivers D1 to D3 sequentially visits one or more containers C (dealer G) belonging to the delivery group assigned to that driver, and delivers the urea water to each container C (dealer G). This allows the driver D to efficiently deliver the urea solution within a predetermined time. In addition, the operating time of the truck is reduced, which reduces the burden on the environment.

[0045] Here, the effects achieved by providing this service will be explained in comparison with conventional technology.

[0046] Conventionally, the remaining amount V of urea water in the container C was determined by the agent A by visiting the dealer G individually or by calling the dealer G. If it was determined that the container C needed to be replenished, the agent A replenished the urea water as needed. However, with this conventional method, the agent A had to respond even when the dealer G made an urgent request for replenishment, such as "today" or "tomorrow," making it difficult for the agent A to control the schedule. Furthermore, there is a problem in that it is necessary to frequently check the remaining amount V of urea water to prevent the dealer G from running out of stock, which is time-consuming.

[0047] Therefore, according to this service, the remaining amount V of urea water in multiple containers C located at multiple dealerships G is successively grasped, and the containers C (dealers G) that need to be refilled are automatically extracted. As a result, the agency A can deliver the urea water in a planned manner, thereby improving business efficiency. Furthermore, when the remaining amount of urea water becomes low, the dealer G will automatically receive a new delivery, so all they have to do is "wait." As a result, the dealer G will not run out of stock, allowing them to carry out stable sales activities.

[0048] In addition, in the past, there was concern about fraudulent practices among agents competing for customers (dealer G), such as agent A purchasing urea water from a source other than service provider S and then wholesaling it to dealer G, or agent A wholesaling urea water to a container (dealer) other than container C (dealer G) with which it has a contract.

[0049] Therefore, with this service, the remaining amount V in the container C is monitored in real time, making it possible to, for example, extract and identify only the container C in which the urea water has increased. Therefore, even if the above-mentioned fraudulent activity occurs, it can be easily discovered, and as a result, problems such as disparities in profits between agents and other troubles can be avoided.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a urea water delivery system to which a liquid level measurement system including a measurement device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0051] The urea water delivery system is configured to communicate with each other via a predetermined network N such as the Internet among N liquid level measurement systems each consisting of n sets of transmitters 1-1 to 1-n and receivers 3-1 to 3-n, n measurement devices 4-1 to 4-n, n dealer terminals 5-1 to 5-n, a server 6, p agency terminals 7-1 to 7-p, and q driver terminals 8-1 to 8-q.

[0052] N sets of transmitters 1-1 to 1-n and receivers 3-1 to 3-n, and n measuring devices 4-1 to 4-n are installed in N containers C1 to Cn, respectively. The n dealer terminals 5-1 to 5-n are managed by dealers G1 to Gn, respectively. The server 6 is managed by the service provider S. The server 6 acquires remaining amount data such as liquid level information and remaining amount information, performs predetermined analysis processing, and generates delivery information for delivering urea water to each of the containers C that require replenishment of urea water. The server 6 controls the provision of the remaining amount data thus obtained, the results of the analysis process, and the generated delivery information via each of the dealer terminals 5-1 to 5-n, the agency terminals 7-1 to 7-p, and the driver terminals 8-1 to 8-p. Each of the p agent terminals 7-1 to 7-p is managed by an agent A1 to Ap, respectively. The q driver terminals 8-1 to 8-q are managed by drivers D1 to Dq, respectively.

[0053] In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the transmitters 1-1 to 1-n, the receivers 3-1 to 3-n, and the measuring devices 4-1 to 4-n, they will be collectively referred to as the transmitter 1, the receiver 3, and the measuring device 4. Furthermore, in the following, when there is no need to individually distinguish between the dealer terminals 5-1 to 5-n, the agency terminals 7-1 to 7-p, and the driver terminals 8-1 to 8-q, they will be collectively referred to as the dealer terminal 5, the agency terminal 7, and the driver terminal 8.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a measurement device in a urea water delivery system to which a liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0055] The measuring device 4 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, a bus 44, an input / output interface 45, an output unit 46, an input unit 47, a memory unit 48, a communication unit 49, and a drive 50.

[0056] The CPU 41 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 42 or a program loaded from the storage unit 48 into the RAM 43 . The RAM 43 also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 41 to execute various processes.

[0057] The CPU 41, ROM 42, and RAM 43 are connected to one another via a bus 44. An input / output interface 45 is also connected to this bus 44. An output unit 46, an input unit 47, a storage unit 48, a communication unit 49, and a drive 50 are connected to the input / output interface 45.

[0058] The output unit 46 is composed of a display such as a liquid crystal display, a speaker, and the like. The input unit 47 is configured by, for example, a keyboard, and various information is input thereto. The storage unit 48 is configured with a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and stores various data. The communication unit 49 communicates with other devices via a network N including the Internet.

[0059] Removable media 51, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, is appropriately loaded into the drive 50. A program read from the removable media 51 by the drive 50 is installed in the storage unit 48 as needed. Furthermore, the removable media 51 can also store various data stored in the storage unit 48 in the same manner as the storage unit 48 . Although not shown, the dealer terminal 5, server 6, agency terminal 7, and driver terminal 8 of the urea water delivery system to which the liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 7 is applied each have a configuration basically similar to the hardware configuration of the measurement device 4 shown in Figure 8, and therefore their description will be omitted here.

[0060] The cooperation of such various hardware and software makes it possible to execute the remaining amount data output process and the information provision process. As a result, the service provider can provide the above-mentioned service.

[0061] The remaining amount data output process refers to a series of processes until the liquid level information and remaining amount information of the container C are output as remaining amount data. The information provision process refers to a series of processes in which the results of a predetermined analysis of the output data on the remaining amount in container C are provided to agent A, dealer G, driver D, etc.

[0062] The measuring device 4 and the server 6 have a functional configuration as shown in FIG. 9 when executing the remaining amount data output process and the information provision process.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a urea water delivery system to which a liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0064] First, the functional configuration of the remaining amount data output process on the measuring device 4 side will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, when the execution of the remaining amount data output process is controlled, in the CPU 41 of the measuring device 4, a distance information acquisition unit 411, a container recognition unit 412, and a detection unit 413 function. When the execution of the information provision process is controlled, the CPU 61 of the server 6 causes a remaining amount data acquisition unit 611, an analysis unit 612, and a provision unit 613 to function.

[0065] When the execution of the remaining amount data output process is controlled, the distance information acquisition unit 411 acquires the distance information transmitted from the receiver 3. The container recognition unit 412 recognizes which container the distance information belongs to based on the identifier ID that identifies the transmitter 1 among the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition unit 411. That is, the container recognition unit 412 recognizes that the distance information belongs to container C based on the ID that uniquely identifies the transmitter 1 included in the distance information.

[0066] The detection unit 413 of the CPU 41 includes a liquid level detection unit 431 and a remaining amount detection unit 432 .

[0067] The liquid level detection unit 431 detects the liquid level H of the container C based on the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition unit 411 and information about the container C recognized by the container recognition unit 412 (for example, the length of the container C in the direction in which gravity acts).

[0068] The remaining amount detection unit 432 detects the remaining amount V of the container C based on the liquid level H detected by the liquid level detection unit 431 and information about the container C recognized by the container recognition unit 412 (e.g., the bottom area of ​​the container C).

[0069] The functional configuration of the remaining amount data output process on the measuring device 4 side has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the information provision process on the server 6 side will be described.

[0070] When the execution of the information provision process is controlled, the remaining amount data acquisition unit 611 of the CPU 61 acquires the liquid level information and remaining amount information of the container C detected by the detection unit 413 as remaining amount data.

[0071] The analysis unit 612 performs a predetermined analysis based on the liquid level information and remaining amount information acquired by the remaining amount data acquisition unit 611. Specifically, for example, the analysis unit 612 extracts one or more containers C that need to be replenished from among the containers C based on the liquid level information and remaining amount information of the containers C. At this time, the analysis unit 612 may execute a process based on the liquid level information and remaining amount information of each container C, such as displaying a container C with no remaining amount as "none," a container C with a decreasing remaining amount as "decreasing," a container C with a medium remaining amount as "medium," and a container C that is nearly full as "full."

[0072] The analysis unit 612 classifies each of the one or more containers C (retailers G) that need to be replenished into, for example, a set of containers C (retailers G) that can be delivered under predetermined conditions, that is, into one or more delivery groups.

[0073] The analysis unit 612 creates a delivery route for delivering the urea water to a predetermined container C. That is, the analysis unit 612 creates the delivery route based on predetermined conditions, such as the daily working hours of the driver D, the maximum load capacity of the truck, the remaining amount V (amount that needs to be replenished) in each container C, and the location information of the container C (dealer G).

[0074] The providing unit 613 executes control to provide the results of the above-mentioned analysis processing, delivery information, etc. to the dealer terminal 5, the agency terminal 7, and the driver terminal 8. This allows the agent A to easily select, for example, a container C that needs to be refilled from one or more containers C under its jurisdiction, thereby enabling the agent A to wholesale urea water to the dealer G in a planned manner. In addition, retailer G will be able to grasp in real time information on the liquid level and remaining amount in container C. Furthermore, for example, if the urea water falls below a predetermined liquid level H or remaining amount V, it will be automatically delivered by agent A, allowing retailer G to steadily sell urea water without having to worry about running out of stock. The functional configuration of the information provision process on the server 6 side has been described above.

[0075] By executing the remaining amount data output process and the information provision process, the liquid level information and remaining amount information of the container C are monitored in real time, allowing the dealer G and the agent A to manage the urea water easily, accurately, and safely.

[0076] FIG. 10 shows examples of screens displayed on various terminals. For example, FIG. 10(A) is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the agent terminal 7. As shown in FIG. A schematic diagram showing remaining amount information for each of a plurality of containers C (retailer G) is displayed on the display screen B of the agency terminal 7. Based on the remaining amount information output in this manner, the agency A can easily identify at a glance the container C (retailer G) that needs to be replenished. Also, a "Visit Date Notification" button is displayed on screen B. By tapping this button, agent A can notify dealer G, which requires delivery of aqueous urea, of the refill date (visit date).

[0077] FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the driver's terminal. That is, the screen D of the driver terminal 8 displays information on the remaining amount of a predetermined container C (store G) that the driver D is in charge of delivering.

[0078] In this way, remaining amount information is managed for each container C (retailer G), so that information such as the remaining amount of container C (retailer G) can be grasped in real time. As a result, retailer G, agent A, and driver D can each display the remaining amount information of container C in any format according to their own purpose on the terminals they manage.

[0079] 11 and 12 are diagrams showing examples of management screens displayed on the agent terminal.

[0080] FIG. 11 shows an example of a management screen displayed on the agency terminal 7. The display screen VS1 is configured to include display areas FS1 to FS3. The display area FS1 of the display screen VS1 displays the name of the agent A. The agents A displayed in the display area FS1 can be extracted, for example, by prefecture or name. The agents A can also be displayed in alphabetical order or by the number of containers C under contract.

[0081] In the display area FS2, information on the remaining amount of the container C under the jurisdiction of each agent A is displayed in a schematic manner. In the display area FS2, the containers C under the jurisdiction of the agent A are displayed classified into delivery groups No. 1 to No. 10, respectively. Furthermore, one delivery group is made up of a set of one or more containers C (retailers G) that the driver D can visit in a specified truck per day to deliver urea water to. For example, delivery group No. 7 includes five containers C (retailers G), and the remaining amount of four of the containers C (retailers G) is displayed as "empty," and the remaining amount of the remaining container C (retailer G) is displayed as "low." When each of these delivery groups is assigned to a driver D1 to D10, each of the drivers D1 to D10 sequentially visits the container C (dealer G) included in the assigned delivery group and delivers a predetermined amount of urea water.

[0082] In the display area FS3, a button for selecting today's route is displayed. When this today's route button is tapped, the screen transitions to VS2 in FIG.

[0083] FIG. 12 shows an example of a management screen displayed on the agency terminal 7. A map is displayed on the display screen VS2, and information about each container C (dealer G) that needs to be replenished and a delivery route are superimposed on the map. That is, the driver D7 delivers the urea water based on the displayed delivery route, thereby enabling the urea water to be delivered reliably and in a short time.

[0084] 13 and 14 are diagrams showing examples of management screens displayed on the driver's terminal.

[0085] FIG. 13(A) shows the login screen. 13(B) is a home screen, which displays a list of multiple dealers G to which the driver D has scheduled delivery of urea water today, and buttons indicating the work status of each dealer. Also, today's route buttons are arranged at the bottom of FIG. 13(B). By viewing this home screen, the driver D can view each of the one or more containers C (dealer G) that are assigned to the driver D (to which delivery is scheduled for today). In addition, as will be described in detail later, the driver D can display a route map for the delivery of urea water by tapping the today's route button. 13(C) is a screen for inputting work details, in which the driver D can input information such as the amount of urea water delivered and other delivered items. Fig. 13(D) is a display screen of a route map. By tapping the today's route button displayed in Fig. 13(B) described above, the driver D can have information (e.g., the location of the container C (dealer G), the remaining amount V) about each of the multiple containers C (dealer G) assigned to the driver D (to whom delivery is scheduled for today) and the route for delivering the urea water to each container C (dealer G) superimposed on each other. FIG. 13(E) is a work history display screen. That is, FIG. 13(E) displays the work history of driver D up to now by year, month, and date. Driver D can reconfirm today's work history by, for example, narrowing down the search by today's date. Furthermore, when driver D has completed delivery work to multiple dealers G to which urea water is scheduled to be delivered today, he can send a report email to agent A by tapping the work report button located at the bottom of FIG. 13(E). FIG. 13(F) is a screen showing completion of report transmission. 13(G) shows the My Page screen. Driver D can change his / her nickname and password by tapping the edit button.

[0086] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0087] The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. In other words, the functional configuration of FIG. 9 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient if the urea water delivery system to which the liquid level measurement system is applied is provided with a function capable of executing the above-described series of processes as a whole, and the type of functional block used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the example shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, the locations of the functional blocks and databases are not particularly limited to those shown in FIG. 9 and may be arbitrary. For example, at least some of the functional blocks and databases required to execute various processes may be transferred to the dealer terminal 5, the agency terminal 7, the driver terminal 8, etc. Conversely, the functions of the dealer terminal 5, the agency terminal 7, the driver terminal 8, etc. may be transferred to the measurement device 4, the server 6, etc. Furthermore, one functional block may be configured as a single piece of hardware, a single piece of software, or a combination thereof.

[0088] Furthermore, for example, when a series of processes is executed by software, the programs that make up the software are installed into a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer built on dedicated hardware. The computer may also be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, such as a server, a general-purpose smartphone, or a personal computer.

[0089] Furthermore, for example, the recording medium containing such a program may be configured not only as a removable medium (not shown) that is distributed separately from the device itself in order to provide the program to users (providers of this service, agents, sellers, drivers), etc., but also as a recording medium that is provided to users, etc. in a state where it is pre-installed in the device itself.

[0090] In this specification, the steps describing the program to be recorded on the recording medium include not only processes that are performed in chronological order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed in chronological order but are performed in parallel or individually. In addition, in this specification, the term "system" refers to an overall device that is made up of a plurality of devices, a plurality of means, etc.

[0091] For example, in the above embodiment, the liquid level information and remaining amount information of the container C are described as being output, but this is not limited to this. That is, only one of the liquid level information and remaining amount information of the container C may be output.

[0092] Here, with reference to Figs. 15 and 16, an example in which a liquid-level measuring system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to measure the water level of a river will be described. 15 and 16 are conceptual diagrams showing an example in which a liquid level measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to measure the water level of a river.

[0093] In the examples of FIGS. 15 and 16, a set of a transmitter 1 (float 2) and a receiver 3 is placed on the river surface and on a bridge. A float 2 floats on the surface of the river, and a transmitter 1 is stored in the float 2. A receiver 3 is fixed to the bridge girder B2. The float 2 is placed in the hollow space inside a cylindrical tube T that is placed in contact with the abutment B1. In other words, the float 2 floats on the liquid surface while stored in the fixed tube T. This prevents the float 2 from floating on the liquid surface (changing its position in the horizontal direction), making it possible to suppress errors that occur in the distance hr between the transmitter 1 and the receiver 3. When the receiver 3 receives the signal from the transmitter 1, it detects the distance hr based on the signal and outputs distance information indicating the distance hr. The measuring device 4 detects the liquid level Hr of the liquid surface Wr based on the distance information, and outputs liquid level information indicating the liquid level Hr of the liquid surface Wr. Here, the output liquid level information includes an identifier ID, so it is possible to recognize, for example, the liquid level information at B2 under the bridge girder. Moreover, as the material of the tube T, vinyl chloride or the like is suitable from the viewpoint of stability, durability, and the like.

[0094] Furthermore, the liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various uses in addition to those described above. Specifically, for example, the liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention can be applied to buried underground fuel tanks installed in transportation companies and the like. When heavy rain falls, rainwater can seep into these buried underground fuel tanks through flanges and manholes, causing fuel to be used without the driver realizing it, resulting in vehicle trouble. Therefore, by applying a liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the increased amount of liquid can be monitored in real time, making it possible to take measures before problems occur.

[0095] Furthermore, for example, the liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a fuel tank installed in a greenhouse. Conventionally, large amounts of fuels such as kerosene, diesel, and heavy oil have been consumed in agriculture to raise the temperature inside greenhouses. The agricultural business operator checks the fuel level and informs the fuel dealer of the approximate amount of fuel that can be supplied, and the fuel dealer then replenishes the fuel. In such cases, if the fuel supply is delayed, problems may occur with the plants in the greenhouse, causing deterioration in quality and, in the worst case, making the plants unable to be shipped. Therefore, by applying such a liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the remaining amount is managed in real time, so that the above-mentioned problems can be solved.

[0096] Furthermore, by applying the urea water delivery system to which the liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied, a delivery route is automatically provided to the driver D who replenishes fuel, allowing the driver D to make efficient deliveries while visiting multiple customers in the surrounding area. As a result, the amount of fuel consumed by large vehicles such as tank trucks can be reduced, which can also be useful for environmental conservation.

[0097] Furthermore, for example, the liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to a kerosene tank used in a stove installed in an ordinary home in a cold region, etc. Even in such a case, by applying the urea water delivery system to which the liquid level measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied, real-time remaining amount management and generation of an appropriate delivery route can be performed, and therefore, the same effects as those described above can be achieved.

[0098] In other words, the liquid level measurement system to which the present invention is applied is sufficient if it has the following configuration, and can take on a variety of different embodiments.

[0099] That is, the liquid level measurement system to which the present invention is applied is A transmitter (e.g., transmitter 1 in FIG. 1) that transmits a signal that reaches within a predetermined distance; a housing (for example, float 2 in FIG. 1) that floats on the surface (for example, liquid level Wa in FIG. 1) of a liquid (for example, urea water) whose transition is to be measured and that accommodates the transmitter therein; a receiving device (e.g., receiver 3 in FIG. 1 ) that detects a distance (e.g., distance ha in FIG. 1 ) from the transmitting device by receiving the signal transmitted from the transmitting device disposed inside the housing while the housing is floating on the surface of the liquid; a measuring device (e.g., measuring device 4 in FIG. 1) that measures a liquid level of the surface of the liquid (e.g., liquid level Ha in FIG. 1) based on the distance detected by the receiving device and outputs information based on the liquid level; Equipped with. This allows the liquid level information and remaining amount information to be automatically output, making it possible to safely and easily manage the liquid level and remaining amount.

[0100] Also, The liquid (e.g., urea water) is contained in N containers (e.g., containers C1 to Cn in FIG. 2 ) (N is an integer value of 2 or more), At least one set of the housings (e.g., floats 2-1 to 2-n in FIG. 2 ) and the transmitting devices (e.g., transmitters 1-1 to 1-n in FIG. 2 ) and the receiving devices (e.g., receivers 3-1 to 3-n in FIG. 2 ) disposed therein are disposed in each of the N containers; The signals transmitted by the N transmitting devices arranged in the N containers respectively include identification information (e.g., an identifier ID) that uniquely identifies the container in which the transmitting device is arranged, The measuring device is a container recognition means (for example, the container recognition unit 412 in FIG. 9) that recognizes a container to be detected among the N containers based on the identification information; a remaining amount calculation means (for example, the detection unit 413 in FIG. 9) that measures the liquid level (for example, W1 to Wn in FIG. 2) of the surface of the liquid inside the container to be detected and calculates the remaining amount of the container to be detected as information based on the liquid level; Equipped with. This allows the liquid level information and remaining amount information of each of a plurality of containers to be recognized in real time at a glance, making it possible to safely and easily manage the liquid level and remaining amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1 Transmitter, 2 Float, 3 Receiver, 4 Measuring device, 5 Dealer terminal, 6 Server, 7 Agent terminal, 8 Driver terminal, 411 Distance information acquisition unit, 412 Container recognition unit, 413 Detection unit, 431 Liquid level detection unit, 432 Remaining amount detection unit, 600 Container information DB, 611 Remaining amount data acquisition unit, 612 Analysis unit, 613 Provision unit

Claims

[Claim 1] a transmitter that transmits a signal that reaches within a predetermined distance; a housing that floats on the surface of the liquid whose transition is to be measured and that accommodates the transmitter; a receiving device that detects a distance from the transmitting device by receiving the signal transmitted from the transmitting device disposed inside the housing while the housing is floating on the surface of the liquid; a measuring device that measures a liquid level of the surface of the liquid based on the distance detected by the receiving device and outputs information based on the liquid level; Equipped with The liquid is water from a natural body of water, a tube is provided that surrounds the outer periphery of the housing and restricts a change in the horizontal position of the housing while allowing the housing to move in a vertical direction; The housing floats inside the tube, following the rise and fall of the liquid surface. Liquid level measurement system.

Images