Safety device for flow rate measuring device and flow rate measuring device

Abstract

A safety device (10A) comprises: internal communication units (12a, 12b) that communicate with a flow rate measuring device; a safety determination processing unit (11) that determines whether to execute a safety function in the flow rate measuring device using output information of the flow rate measuring device obtained through communication of the internal communication units (12a, 12b); and a safety determination value setting unit (13) that sets and stores a safety determination value to be used for determining whether to execute the safety function by the safety determination processing unit (11). The safety device (10A) may be provided with a flow rate integration unit that calculates, from fluid flow rate information included in the output information, an integrated consumption amount of the fluid, or may be configured as a unit mountable to the flow rate measuring device. This makes it possible to easily implement a safety function in a flow rate measuring device, for example, even if the flow rate measuring device does not have a safety function.

Description

Safety device for a flow measurement device and a flow measurement device

[0001] The present invention relates to a safety device used in a flow measurement device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, and a flow measurement device including the same. For example, the present invention relates to a safety device for a flow measurement device that can be mounted with a safety function on a flow measurement device that does not have a safety function, and a flow measurement device including the safety device.

[0002] A flow measurement device is a measuring instrument that measures the amount (flow rate) of a fluid such as gas or liquid flowing through a flow path per unit time. Such a flow measurement device is known to have a safety function such as, for example, giving an alarm or shutting off the supply of the fluid when some abnormality occurs.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gas meter (a flow measurement device when the fluid is gas) having a safety function. This gas meter can execute a safety function according to the gas appliance by registering and specifying the gas appliance to be used.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-160003

[0005] In recent years, in flow measurement devices, from the viewpoint of promoting more stable and safe supply and use of fluids, the safety function has been attracting more attention than ever. However, since such a safety function needs to consider various conditions associated with the use of the flow measurement device, there has been a tendency that it is not easy to implement a suitable safety function for the flow measurement device.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and for example, an object thereof is to enable easy implementation of a safety function on a flow measurement device that does not have a safety function.

[0007] The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to this disclosure, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, comprises: at least one internal communication unit that communicates with a flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate of a fluid; a safety determination processing unit that uses output information from the flow rate measuring device obtained through communication by the internal communication unit to determine the execution of a safety function in the flow rate measuring device and to instruct the transmission of safety command information, which is the determination result, through the internal communication unit; and a safety determination value setting unit that sets and stores a safety determination value used in determining the execution of the safety function in the safety determination processing unit.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the internal communication unit communicates with the flow metering device to acquire output information from the flow metering device as safety processing information. Based on this safety processing information, the safety determination processing unit performs a process (safety processing) to determine whether to execute the safety function, and transmits the result (safety command information) to the flow metering device via the internal communication unit. The flow metering device executes the safety function based on the received safety command information. This makes it possible to easily implement a safety function even if the flow metering device does not have one.

[0009] In order to realize the safety function, it is necessary to consider various conditions (usage conditions), such as the laws and regulations or standards of each country regarding flow measurement devices, the internal standards or criteria of the fluid supplier, the needs of the users of the flow measurement devices, and the suitability of the flow measurement devices to the installation site. With the above configuration, by providing a safety judgment value setting unit, the user can set and save a safety judgment value according to the usage conditions. As a result, the safety judgment processing unit will perform safety processing based on the set safety judgment value, using at least the output information obtained from the flow measurement device. Therefore, it becomes possible to execute a safety function according to the usage conditions of the flow measurement device.

[0010] Furthermore, by mounting the safety device with the above configuration onto a flow meter, suitable safety functions can be easily implemented on the flow meter according to the specific configuration of the flow meter that serves as the host for implementing the safety functions. In this way, since safety functions can be retrofitted to the flow meter, the flow meter itself can be composed of the minimum necessary system. Therefore, the development cost of the flow meter can be minimized. As a result, development related to safety functions in the flow meter becomes virtually unnecessary, enabling the efficient development of the flow meter.

[0011] Furthermore, this disclosure includes a flow measuring device equipped with a safety device for a flow measuring device having the above configuration. The flow measuring device according to this disclosure is not particularly limited, but a gas meter is a typical example.

[0012] The above-mentioned objectives, other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] This disclosure provides the advantage that, with the above configuration, even a flow measuring device that does not have a safety function can easily implement a safety function in said flow measuring device.

[0014] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a safety device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, which includes the safety device shown in Figure 1 as a safety unit. Figure 3A is a graph illustrating an example of a typical safety function in the safety device shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3B is a table showing an example of flow rate classification in the graph shown in Figure 3A. This is a graph illustrating another example of a typical safety function in the safety device shown in Figure 1. This is a flowchart showing a typical example of safety processing in the safety device shown in Figure 1. This is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a safety device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. This is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure, which includes the safety device shown in Figure 6 as a safety unit. This is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a safety device according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. This is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure, which includes the safety device shown in Figure 8 as a safety unit. This is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a safety device according to Embodiment 4 of this disclosure. This is a flowchart showing a typical example of safety processing in the safety device shown in Figure 10. This is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a safety device according to Embodiment 5 of this disclosure. This is a block diagram showing a modified example of the safety device shown in Figure 12. This is a block diagram showing a typical example of a safety unit included in a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 6 of this disclosure. This is a block diagram showing another example of a safety unit included in a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 6 of this disclosure. This is a block diagram showing yet another example of a safety unit included in a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 6 of this disclosure. This is a block diagram showing yet another example of a safety unit included in a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 6 of this disclosure. This is a block diagram showing another example of a configuration of a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 6 of this disclosure.

[0015] [Knowledge and other information forming the basis of this disclosure] In the case of gas meters, which are flow measurement devices, those sold and used in Japan (domestic gas meters) often have safety functions implemented, such as shutting off the gas supply in the event of an earthquake and detecting gas leaks. Such safety functions are generally implemented in the form of a controller for the gas meter.

[0016] In contrast, gas meters sold overseas (overseas gas meters) generally lack safety features, with the exception of a few models, and are primarily designed for flow rate measurement. However, even in overseas gas meters, there is growing interest in implementing safety features, similar to those in domestic gas meters, from the perspective of promoting a more stable and safer supply and use of fluids.

[0017] To implement safety features in flow measurement devices such as gas meters, it is necessary to consider various conditions (usage conditions of flow measurement devices), such as national laws and regulations or standards regarding flow measurement devices, internal standards or criteria of fluid suppliers, the needs of users of flow measurement devices, and their suitability for the installation site. Therefore, developing safety features for gas meters intended for overseas use has not been easy. Furthermore, even within Japan, usage conditions such as user needs and suitability for the installation site must be considered, which could affect the efficiency of developing gas meters (flow measurement devices) that include safety features.

[0018] From this perspective, the inventors considered separating only the safety function from the flow measurement device and making it an independent safety device, which could then be mounted on the flow measurement device later. However, simply separating the safety function and making it an independent safety device would not change the fact that various operating conditions need to be considered when developing the safety device, and it would also be necessary to consider the integration between the safety device and the flow measurement device, which is the target device for mounting.

[0019] Therefore, after further intensive research, the inventors have independently discovered that by providing a safety device with a safety function separated from the flow rate measuring device, and by equipping it with a safety determination value setting unit that sets and stores a safety determination value used to determine whether the safety function is executed, it is possible to accommodate various operating conditions and also to mount the device on a flow rate measuring device, thus completing the technology of this disclosure.

[0020] Hereinafter, representative embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals throughout all the drawings, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0021] (Embodiment 1) [Example of Configuration of Safety Device and Flow Measurement Device] First, a typical example of the configuration of the safety device for a flow measurement device according to this embodiment 1, and a typical example of the configuration of a flow measurement device equipped with the safety device for a flow measurement device will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the safety device 10A for a flow measurement device according to this embodiment 1 includes a safety determination processing unit 11, internal communication units 12a and 12b, and a safety determination value setting unit 13. In the following description, the safety device 10A for the flow measurement device may be abbreviated as safety device 10A as appropriate.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the flow rate measuring device 20A according to this embodiment 1 is a device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, such as a gas meter, and includes a meter unit 21, an external communication unit 22, a flow rate measuring unit 23, an operation unit 24, a sensor unit 25, etc., and also includes the safety device 10A shown in Figure 1 as a safety unit 30A. Note that the flow rate measuring device 20A may also have other components, or may not have some of these components as needed.

[0023] The safety device 10A is configured to communicate with the flow rate measuring device 20A, which acts as the "host" from the perspective of the safety device 10A, via internal communication units 12a and 12b. In this disclosure, communication between the flow rate measuring device 20A and the safety device 10A is referred to as "internal communication," and communication between the flow rate measuring device 20A and external devices is referred to as "external communication." In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the internal communication unit 12a of the safety device 10A communicates internally with the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20A, and the internal communication unit 12b of the safety device 10A communicates internally with the flow rate measuring unit 23 of the flow rate measuring device 20A. The flow rate measuring device 20A also communicates externally with external devices via an external communication unit 22.

[0024] The safety determination processing unit 11 of the safety device 10A uses the output information from the flow rate measuring device 20A, obtained from internal communication by the internal communication units 12a and 12b, to determine whether the flow rate measuring device 20A should perform the safety function. This determination result is transmitted from the internal communication units 12a and 12b to the flow rate measuring device 20A, and the flow rate measuring device 20A performs the safety function based on this determination result. A specific example of internal communication between the safety device 10A and the flow rate measuring device 20A will be described later.

[0025] The security determination value setting unit 13 sets and stores security determination values ​​used in the security determination processing unit 11 to determine whether to execute the security function. In this disclosure (Embodiment 1 and the embodiments described later), for the sake of explanation, the process by which the security determination processing unit 11 determines whether to execute the security function is referred to as "security processing". Therefore, the security determination values ​​set and stored by the security determination value setting unit 13 are information used for the security function.

[0026] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the information used for safety processing in the safety determination processing unit 11 is referred to as "safety processing information," and the result of the safety processing is referred to as "safety command information." Therefore, in this disclosure, the safety determination processing unit 11 performs safety processing using at least the output information from the flow rate measuring device 20A as safety processing information, the safety determination value used for this safety processing is set and stored by the safety determination value setting unit 13, and the safety command information, which is the result of the safety processing, is transmitted to the flow rate measuring device 20A via the internal communication units 12a and 12b.

[0027] Furthermore, the safety determination processing unit 11 may be configured to determine the execution of additional functions other than the safety function in the flow rate measuring device 20A, in addition to the safety function. In this case, the safety determination value setting unit 13 only needs to be configured to set and store additional function determination values ​​used to determine the execution of additional functions, in addition to the safety determination value. This makes it possible to later implement other additional functions other than the safety function in the flow rate measuring device 20A.

[0028] In this embodiment 1, the safety device 10A with this configuration is unitized so that it can be mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20A. In Figure 2, for the sake of explanation, the unitized safety device 10A is shown as a safety unit 30A enclosed by a dashed line. By unitizing the safety device 10A in this way, even if the flow rate measuring device 20A does not have a safety function, the safety function can be easily implemented by mounting the safety unit 30A on the flow rate measuring device 20A. Conversely, if the safety function is not required, the safety unit 30A can be removed from the flow rate measuring device 20A and used separately.

[0029] Furthermore, if the safety unit 30A is mounted on the flow meter 20A, the safety unit 30A can be powered by the host flow meter 20A. For example, if the flow meter 20A is a gas meter, the gas meter is usually powered by a battery. Therefore, if the safety unit 30A can be powered by the host gas meter when mounted on the gas meter, there is no need to provide a separate power supply for the safety unit 30A.

[0030] In this embodiment 1, the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20A includes a control unit 31, a display unit 32, and a flow rate integration unit 33. The control unit 31 controls the operation of the flow rate measuring device 20A. The display unit 32 displays various information in accordance with the operation of the flow rate measuring device 20A. The flow rate integration unit 33 integrates the amount of fluid used from the flow rate information measured by the flow rate measuring unit 23, which will be described later.

[0031] The external communication unit 22 of the flow rate measuring device 20A communicates with external devices, such as other flow rate measuring devices, repeaters, or central equipment. The flow rate measuring unit 23 measures the flow rate of the fluid. In this embodiment 1, the flow rate information measured by the flow rate measuring unit 23 is integrated by the flow rate integration unit 33 via the safety device 10A as described above, thereby generating fluid usage information (integrated value).

[0032] In this embodiment 1, the safety device 10A (safety unit 30A) is equipped with internal communication units 12a and 12b, as described above. The internal communication unit 12a communicates internally with the meter unit 21, and the internal communication unit 12b communicates internally with the flow rate measurement unit 23. Therefore, the fluid flow rate information measured by the flow rate measurement unit 23 is first transmitted to the safety device 10A by the internal communication unit 12b, and then transmitted from the internal communication unit 12a of the safety device 10A to the meter unit 21. As a result, the safety device 10A can use the flow rate information obtained from the flow rate measurement unit 23 as safety processing information.

[0033] The operation unit 24 inputs operation information to the flow rate measuring device 20A. The sensor unit 25 acquires detection information that can be used to measure the fluid flow rate. These operation unit 24 and sensor unit 25 constitute the "input unit" of the flow rate measuring device 20A according to this embodiment 1. The valve unit 26 opens and closes under the control of the meter unit 21. This valve unit 26 constitutes the "output unit" of the flow rate measuring device 20A according to this embodiment 1.

[0034] The flow rate measuring device 20A may also include an "input unit" other than the operation unit 24 or the sensor unit 25, and an "output unit" other than the valve unit 26. Furthermore, depending on the specific configuration of the flow rate measuring device 20A, it may not be necessary to include the operation unit 24 or the sensor unit 25. For example, operation information may be input from a terminal device via the external communication unit 22.

[0035] Alternatively, the valve unit 26 may be configured as an independent valve device capable of communicating with the flow rate measuring device 20A. In this case, the flow rate measuring device 20A would not have a valve unit 26. The meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20A can control the opening and closing of the valve device via the external communication unit 22. Furthermore, the display unit 32 of the meter unit 21 may function as the output unit of the flow rate measuring device 20A.

[0036] The specific configurations of the safety device 10A, the control unit 31 of the flow rate measuring device 20A, and the flow rate integration unit 33 are not particularly limited. For example, the safety determination processing unit 11 and the safety determination value setting unit 13 of the safety device 10A can be a known functional configuration of a control device, realized by the operation of a calculation unit according to a program stored in a storage device. Similarly, the control unit 31 and the flow rate integration unit 33 of the flow rate measuring device 20A can also be a known functional configuration of a control device, realized by the operation of a calculation unit according to a program stored in a storage device.

[0037] Specifically, for example, the safety determination processing unit 11 and the safety determination value setting unit 13, or the control unit 31 and the flow rate integration unit 33, can all be configured such that a general-purpose processor, dedicated processor, integrated circuit, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), GPU, or other computing device is used, either alone or in combination of two or more types, to implement its control function according to a program stored in a memory device.

[0038] A processor, as such an arithmetic device, is a hardware circuit (or processing circuit) because it includes a circuit composed of numerous transistors, memory, etc. Similarly, an integrated circuit or ASIC is also a hardware circuit because it includes a processor or processing block such as a CPU. An FPGA is a hardware circuit because it includes a large number of integrated logic circuits (functional blocks). A GPU is a hardware circuit because it includes a large number of parallel-mounted arithmetic circuits (cores). Software such as programs stored in memory is used to configure hardware circuits (processors, integrated circuits, FPGAs, ASICs, GPUs, etc.). Alternatively, an arithmetic device may be configured as a logic circuit using known switching elements, subtractors, comparators, etc.

[0039] The specific configuration of the storage device is not particularly limited. For example, it may be configured as the internal memory of a microcomputer or microcontroller unit (MCU), or it may be configured as a separate memory. Furthermore, the storage device does not have to be single; there may be multiple devices.

[0040] The internal communication units 12a and 12b of the safety device 10A only need to be configured to communicate internally with the host flow rate measuring device 20A, as described above. Typically, the internal communication units 12a and 12b and the meter unit 21 or flow rate measuring unit 23 only need to be able to communicate internally using the same communication interface, for example, serial (UART) communication. The internal communication units 12a and 12b and the meter unit 21 or flow rate measuring unit 23 only need to be connected to each other by an internal communication line corresponding to serial (UART) communication, and configured to send and receive internal data.

[0041] In addition, in the first embodiment, the security device 10A is unitized as a security unit 30A and mounted on the flow measurement device 20A. Therefore, the internal communication lines between the internal communication units 12a and 12b and the meter unit 21 or the flow measurement unit 23 only need to have detachable connectors. For example, when the security unit 30A is mounted on the flow measurement device 20A, the internal communication units 12a and 12b and the meter unit 21 or the flow measurement unit 23 may be able to communicate internally by connecting the respective connectors. Also, when the security unit 30A is removed from the flow measurement device 20A, the respective connectors only need to be detachable.

[0042] The external communication unit 22 of the flow measurement device 20A only needs to be configured to be able to communicate between the flow measurement device 20A and external devices. Typically, communication units using communication methods used in smart meters (such as wireless multi-hop communication, data communication by communication carriers, power line communication (PLC), etc.) can be cited. Typical communication methods used at this time include NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things), etc.

[0043] The specific configuration of the flow measurement unit 23 of the flow measurement device 20A is not particularly limited either. Typically, if the fluid is a gas, an ultrasonic flow meter can be cited. An ultrasonic flow meter can be one configured to emit ultrasonic waves at a predetermined time interval with respect to the fluid (gas) flowing in the flow path and convert the propagation time difference into flow rate for measurement, but the specific type of ultrasonic flow meter is not particularly limited either. Also, depending on the type of fluid, measuring instruments other than ultrasonic flow meters can be used.

[0044] The specific configurations of the operation unit 24 and the display unit 32 are not particularly limited either. For example, the operation unit 24 can include switches or external signals (such as alarm devices). The display unit 32 can include various two-dimensional displays (such as liquid crystal displays, etc.). Also, the operation unit 24 and the display unit 32 may have an integrated configuration (input / output unit) such as a touch panel display.

[0045] As an example of the "output unit" of the flow measurement device 20A, the valve unit 26 can be, for example, a shut-off valve that blocks the flow (supply) of a fluid (gas). The shut-off valve is configured to be openable and closable under the control of the control unit 31 of the meter unit 21. For example, in the security process by the security device 10A according to the first embodiment, as will be described later, when the security determination processing unit 11 determines that the security function is to be executed, the determination result is transmitted to the meter unit 21 of the flow measurement device 20A by internal communication. In the control unit 31 of the meter unit 21, as a security function, for example, it controls to operate the valve unit 26, which is a shut-off valve, to block the gas supply. Note that the display unit 32 or the output unit of voice information as the aforementioned "output unit" may also be output-controlled in the same manner as the valve unit 26.

[0046] [Examples of Security Functions and Security Determination Values in Security Processing] Next, in the security processing in the security device 10A according to the first embodiment, specific examples of typical security functions to be executed and typical security determination values that can be set in the security function will be specifically described by taking the case where the flow measurement device 20A is a gas meter as an example.

[0047] As a first case of the security function, for example, a safe continuous use time determination function can be cited. If the flow measurement device 20A is a gas meter, the fluid is gas. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, a plurality of flow rate categories are set for the flow rate of the gas (fluid), and the threshold value (upper limit value of the flow rate) of the flow rate in each flow rate category is parameterized as a security determination value and set by the security determination value setting unit 13. Further, the safe continuous use time in each flow rate category is parameterized as a security determination value and set by the security determination value setting unit 13.

[0048] For example, the amount of gas used, i.e., the gas flow rate, and the duration of gas use will differ depending on whether the gas appliance is a gas stove or a bath boiler. Furthermore, even with the same gas stove, the amount of gas used (gas flow rate) and the duration of gas use will differ depending on whether cooking is done over low heat for a long time (e.g., simmering) or over high heat for a short time (e.g., grilling). Therefore, multiple flow rate categories can be set according to the amount of gas used, and the safety judgment value setting unit 13 can set the upper limit of the flow rate (flow rate threshold) and the upper limit of the acceptable gas usage time (safe continuous usage time) for each flow rate category as safety judgment values.

[0049] In the table shown in Figure 3A, flow rate categories are set as, for example, categories 1 to 14. In category 1, the flow rate threshold is 0.1 m. 3 The setting is configured to / h, and the safe continuous use time is set to unlimited. In this way, when the gas flow rate is at the lowest level, it may be determined that using the gas for a long time will not have any particular impact on the execution of the safety function, and the safe continuous use time may be set to unlimited. However, a specific time may be set as needed.

[0050] Next, in category 2, the flow rate threshold is 0.3 m 3 The setting is set to / h, and the safe continuous use time is set to 720 minutes. In category 3, the flow rate threshold is 0.6 m 3 The setting is set to / h, and the safe continuous use time is set to 660 minutes. In category 4, the flow rate threshold is 0.8 m 3 The flow rate is set to / h, and the safe continuous use time is set to 330 minutes. Similarly, the flow rate threshold and safe continuous use time are set for categories 5 and beyond. The flow rate threshold and safe continuous use time for these flow rate categories can be appropriately set by the safety judgment value setting unit 13 according to the type of gas appliance or the purpose of use of the gas appliance, etc.

[0051] The graph shown in Figure 3B illustrates an example of the safe continuous use time determination function, with the vertical axis representing the gas (fluid) flow rate and the horizontal axis representing time. As shown in Figure 3B, in the flow rate measuring device 20A (gas meter), as indicated by the white-filled triangle symbol, the gas flow rate is in category 1 (upper limit (threshold) 0.1 m 3 / h) to category 2 (upper limit (threshold) 0.3m 3 Let's assume it transitions to / h).

[0052] In the table shown in Figure 3A, the safe continuous use time set for category 2 is 720 minutes. Therefore, the safety determination processing unit 11 of the safety device 10A monitors the time during which gas supply (use) continues (continuous use time t1) from the output information obtained from the internal communication units 12a and 12b. Subsequently, as shown by the large shaded triangle symbol in Figure 3B, if the continuous use time t1 of the gas reaches the upper limit (threshold) of category 2, which is 720 minutes, the safety determination processing unit 11 determines whether to execute the safety function (safety processing).

[0053] In this case, as a safety function, instead of immediately deciding to shut off the gas supply, the system decides to issue an alarm that warns that the continuous use of gas has exceeded a predetermined time (the set value for safe continuous use). If gas use continues after this alarm is issued, the safety determination processing unit 11 only needs to decide to shut off the gas supply. As a result, the flow rate measuring device 20A performs a two-stage safety function: issuing an alarm and shutting off the gas supply. In addition, the alarm may be made multi-stage as a safety function, or warning information may be issued as a safety function before the alarm is issued. For example, as an example of a multi-stage alarm, an alarm to warn the user may be issued in the first stage, an alarm to inform the user of how to deal with a gas leak may be issued in the second stage, and an alarm to warn the user of the execution of shutting off the gas supply may be issued in the third stage.

[0054] Here, depending on the operating conditions of the flow rate measuring device 20A, the flow rate thresholds in each flow rate category may be set higher or lower than the initial setting values. Similarly, the safe continuous operating time may also be set longer or shorter than the initial setting value. Therefore, in the safety device 10A according to this embodiment 1, the safety determination values ​​such as the flow rate threshold or the safe continuous operating time can be appropriately set by the safety determination value setting unit 13.

[0055] A second example of a safety function is, for instance, a leak detection function. In the graph shown in Figure 4, the upper graph has the leak monitoring timer on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis, while the lower graph in Figure 4 has the gas (fluid) flow rate on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. The upper and lower graphs correspond to each other in terms of time on the horizontal axis. For the sake of explanation, the upper graph will be called the "timer graph" and the lower graph will be called the "flow rate graph".

[0056] The flow rate graph in Figure 4 shows the leak detection condition Qh1 and the leak detection flow rate Qh2 as safety judgment values ​​for the leak detection function, while the timer graph shows the leak monitoring time t2 as a safety judgment value. The leak detection condition Qh1 is set as a predetermined flow rate condition for detecting gas leaks. For example, this could be during nighttime or late-night hours, or during periods of non-use depending on the gas user's usage. During such times, gas is hardly used or at a very low flow rate, making it easier to detect leaks.

[0057] The leak detection flow rate Qh2 is set as the flow rate range used to determine the possibility of gas leakage under the conditions of leak detection condition Qh1. In the example shown in Figure 4, the leak detection flow rate Qh2 is set as the upper limit indicated by the dashed line. When the gas flow rate under the conditions of leak detection condition Qh1 exceeds the leak detection flow rate Qh2, gas leakage is suspected. In addition, the leak monitoring time t2 is set as the upper limit (threshold) of the time during which the gas flow rate exceeds the leak detection flow rate Qh2.

[0058] For example, in the example shown in Figure 4, the safety determination processing unit 11 of the safety device 10A first determines whether or not the leakage determination condition Qh1 is met. For example, if the leakage determination condition Qh1 is set to a predetermined time interval during the nighttime period, the safety determination processing unit 11 monitors the gas flow rate included in the output information of the gas meter (flow rate measuring device 20A) obtained from the internal communication units 12a and 12b once the nighttime period begins.

[0059] In the flow rate graph in Figure 4, the period indicated by the two white-filled triangle symbols corresponds to the leak detection condition Qh1. If the gas flow rate (output information) monitored by the safety determination processing unit 11 is less than or equal to the leak detection flow rate Qh2 (or less than the leak detection flow rate Qh2), and a predetermined time has elapsed, the leak monitoring timer count is cleared as shown in the timer graph in Figure 4.

[0060] Subsequently, when the leakage detection condition Qh1 is met, as shown in the flow rate graph of Figure 4, if the flow rate of the monitored gas exceeds the leakage detection flow rate Qh2 (upper limit) (or is greater than or equal to the leakage detection flow rate Qh), the safety determination processing unit 11 continues counting without clearing the leakage monitoring timer even after a predetermined time has been reached, as indicated by the black-filled triangle symbol. Subsequently, if the gas flow rate remains outside the range of the leakage detection flow rate Qh2 (exceeds or is greater than the upper limit), as indicated by the large shaded triangle symbol in the flow rate graph of Figure 4, when the monitoring time reaches the leakage monitoring time t2, the safety determination processing unit 11 determines whether to execute the safety function (safety processing).

[0061] In this leak detection function, similar to the safe continuous use time determination function, the safety function does not immediately decide to shut off the gas supply, but rather decides to issue an alarm regarding the occurrence of a gas leak. Even after the alarm is issued, if the gas flow rate continues to exceed the leak detection flow rate Qh2, the safety determination processing unit 11 should decide to shut off the gas supply. As a result, the flow rate measuring device 20A performs a two-stage safety function: alarm issuance and gas supply shutoff. In addition, the alarm issuance may be multi-stage as a safety function, or warning information may be issued as a safety function before the alarm is issued.

[0062] Here, depending on the operating conditions of the flow rate measuring device 20A, various conditions can be assumed for the leak detection condition Qh1, and various upper limits (or numerical ranges) can be assumed for the leak detection flow rate Qh2. Similarly, the leak monitoring time t2 may be set to be longer or shorter than the initial setting value. Therefore, in the safety device 10A according to this embodiment 1, safety detection values ​​such as the leak detection condition Qh1, the leak detection flow rate Qh2, and the leak monitoring time t2 can be appropriately set by the safety detection value setting unit 13.

[0063] [Example of security processing in a security device] Next, a typical example of security processing in the security device 10A according to this embodiment 1 will be described, but the security processing is not limited to this. In this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 5, first, the security device 10A sets and stores the security determination value setting unit 13 for each security function (step S11). Next, the security device 10A acquires security processing information via the internal communication units 12a and 12b (step S12). The security determination processing unit 11 of the security device 10A determines whether or not to execute the security function (security processing, step S13).

[0064] If it is determined that the safety function should not be executed (NO in step S13), the system repeatedly acquires safety processing information via the internal communication units 12a and 12b (returning to step S12). On the other hand, if it is determined that the safety function should be executed (YES in step S13), the safety determination processing unit 11 generates the determination result, i.e., safety command information, and transmits it to the flow rate measuring device 20A via the internal communication units 12a and 12b (step S14). After that, the safety device 10A repeatedly acquires safety processing information (returning to step S12).

[0065] In the example shown in Figure 5, the safety process is schematically illustrated as a single decision step, but it goes without saying that actual safety processes are not limited to such a single step. For example, in the case of the aforementioned safe continuous use time determination function or leak detection function, the safety function performs two-stage (or more than three-stage) functions, such as issuing an alarm and shutting off the gas (fluid) supply. Therefore, the safety process can be composed of a multi-step flow to match the stepwise execution of multiple safety functions.

[0066] As described above, the safety device 10A according to this embodiment 1 communicates with the flow rate measuring device 20A via internal communication units 12a and 12b to acquire output information from the flow rate measuring device 20A as safety processing information. Based on this safety processing information, the safety determination processing unit 11 performs a process (safety processing) to determine the execution of a safety function, and transmits the result (safety command information) to the flow rate measuring device 20A via internal communication units 12a and 12b. The flow rate measuring device 20A then executes the safety function based on the received safety command information. This makes it possible to easily implement a safety function even if the flow rate measuring device 20A does not have a safety function.

[0067] In order to realize the safety function, various conditions (usage conditions) must be considered, such as the laws and regulations or standards of each country regarding the flow rate measuring device 20A (gas meter), the internal standards or criteria of the fluid supplier, the needs of the user of the flow rate measuring device 20A, and the suitability of the flow rate measuring device 20A to the installation site. According to the configuration of this disclosure, by providing a safety judgment value setting unit 13, the user can set and save a safety judgment value according to the usage conditions. As a result, the safety judgment processing unit 11 will perform safety processing based on the set safety judgment value, using at least the output information obtained from the flow rate measuring device 20A. Therefore, it becomes possible to execute a safety function according to the usage conditions of the flow rate measuring device 20A.

[0068] Furthermore, by mounting the safety device 10A according to this embodiment 1 onto the flow rate measuring device 20A, suitable safety functions can be easily implemented on the flow rate measuring device 20A according to the specific configuration of the flow rate measuring device 20A that serves as the host for implementing the safety functions. In this way, since safety functions can be retrofitted to the flow rate measuring device 20A, the flow rate measuring device 20A itself can be configured with the minimum necessary system. Therefore, the development cost of the flow rate measuring device 20A can be minimized. As a result, development related to safety functions in the flow rate measuring device 20A becomes virtually unnecessary, enabling efficient development of the flow rate measuring device 20A.

[0069] In this disclosure, from the perspective of the safety device 10A, the flow rate measuring device 20A, which is the object to be mounted, can be determined to be an "external device" (an external device for the safety device 10A). As described above, the flow rate measuring device 20A can communicate with "external devices" (an external device for the flow rate measuring device 20A) via the external communication unit 22.

[0070] Therefore, external devices that the flow rate measuring device 20A can communicate with can also be considered external devices for the safety device 10A. Consequently, the safety device 10A can also use external output information obtained from external devices for the flow rate measuring device 20A via the external communication unit 22 as safety processing information. This enables the safety device 10A to perform more suitable safety functions according to the operating conditions of the flow rate measuring device 20A.

[0071] (Embodiment 2) The safety device according to Embodiment 2 has basically the same configuration as the safety device according to Embodiment 1, but is equipped with only one internal communication unit. An example of a typical configuration of the safety device according to Embodiment 2, and an example of a typical configuration of a flow rate measuring device equipped with the safety device, will be described below.

[0072] As shown in Figure 6, the security device 10B according to this second embodiment is equipped with a security determination processing unit 11 and a security determination value setting unit 13, similar to the security device 10A according to the first embodiment, but it is equipped with only one internal communication unit 12 instead of two internal communication units 12a and 12b.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the flow rate measuring device 20B according to this second embodiment is equipped with a meter unit 21, an external communication unit 22, a flow rate measuring unit 23, an operation unit 24, a sensor unit 25, etc., similar to the flow rate measuring device 20A according to the first embodiment, and is equipped with the safety device 10B shown in Figure 2 as a safety unit 30B. The meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20B is also equipped with a control unit 31, a display unit 32, and a flow rate integration unit 33, similar to the first embodiment.

[0074] However, in the flow rate measuring device 20B according to this second embodiment, the flow rate measuring unit 23 is not configured to communicate internally with the safety device 10B (safety unit 30B), but rather to input and output information bidirectionally with the meter unit 21. Therefore, the safety device 10B is equipped only with an internal communication unit 12 for internal communication with the meter unit 21, and does not have a configuration for internal communication with the flow rate measuring unit 23.

[0075] In the flow rate measuring device 20B with this configuration, unlike in the embodiment 1, the fluid flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit 23 is output to the meter unit 21 without going through the safety device 10A. In the meter unit 21, the fluid flow rate from the flow rate measuring unit 23 is integrated in the flow rate integration unit 33, thereby generating fluid usage information (integrated value). This fluid usage information is transmitted from the meter unit 21 to the safety device 10B via internal communication.

[0076] In the safety device 10B according to this second embodiment, similar to the safety device 10A according to the first embodiment, the internal communication unit 12 communicates with the flow rate measuring device 20B to acquire output information from the flow rate measuring device 20B as safety processing information. Based on this safety processing information, the safety determination processing unit 11 performs a process (safety processing) to determine the execution of the safety function, and transmits the result (safety command information) to the flow rate measuring device 20B via the internal communication unit 12. The flow rate measuring device 20B executes the safety function based on the received safety command information. This makes it possible to easily implement a safety function even if the flow rate measuring device 20B does not have a safety function.

[0077] (Embodiment 3) The safety device according to this embodiment 3 has basically the same configuration as the safety device according to embodiment 1 or the safety device according to embodiment 2, but it is further configured to include a flow rate integration unit. An example of a typical configuration of the safety device according to this embodiment 3, and an example of a typical configuration of a flow rate measuring device equipped with the safety device, will be described below.

[0078] As shown in Figure 8, the safety device 10C according to this third embodiment, like the safety device 10A according to the first embodiment, is equipped with a safety determination processing unit 11, two internal communication units 12a and 12b, and a safety determination value setting unit 13, and is also equipped with a flow rate integration unit 14. This flow rate integration unit 14 has the same configuration as the flow rate integration unit 33 equipped in the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20A according to the first embodiment, and integrates the amount of fluid used from the flow rate information measured by the flow rate measuring unit 23.

[0079] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the flow rate integration unit 14 provided in the safety device 10C is not particularly limited. Similar to the safety determination processing unit 11, safety determination value setting unit 13, etc., described in Embodiment 1, or the control unit 31 and flow rate integration unit 33 provided in the meter unit 21, the flow rate integration unit 14 can also be a known control device functional configuration, which is realized by the operation of the arithmetic unit according to a program stored in the storage device.

[0080] As shown in Figure 9, the flow rate measuring device 20C according to this third embodiment is equipped with a meter unit 21, an external communication unit 22, a flow rate measuring unit 23, an operation unit 24, a sensor unit 25, etc., similar to the flow rate measuring device 20A according to the first embodiment or the flow rate measuring device 20B according to the second embodiment, and also includes the safety device 10C shown in Figure 8 as a safety unit 30C. However, unlike the first or second embodiment, the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20C is equipped with a control unit 31 and a display unit 32, but does not have a flow rate integration unit 33. Note that in Figure 8, the internal communication unit blocks 12a and 12b of the safety device 10C are omitted, and only the flow rate integration unit 14 block is shown.

[0081] In a flow rate measuring device 20C with this configuration, the fluid flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit 23 is transmitted to the safety device 10C via internal communication, similar to the first embodiment. However, the safety device 10C does not transmit this flow rate to the meter unit 21 via internal communication. Instead, the fluid flow rate is integrated in the flow rate integration unit 14 of the safety device 10C, thereby generating fluid usage information (integrated value). The generated fluid usage information is transmitted from the safety device 10C to the meter unit 21 via internal communication.

[0082] In the safety device 10C according to this third embodiment, similar to the safety device 10A according to the first embodiment or the safety device 10B according to the second embodiment, the internal communication units 12a and 12b communicate with the flow rate measuring device 20C to acquire the output information of the flow rate measuring device 20C as safety processing information. Based on this safety processing information, the safety determination processing unit 11 performs a process (safety processing) to determine the execution of the safety function, and transmits the result (safety command information) to the flow rate measuring device 20C via the internal communication units 12a and 12b. The flow rate measuring device 20C executes the safety function based on the received safety command information. As a result, even if the flow rate measuring device 20C does not have a safety function, the safety function can be easily implemented.

[0083] Furthermore, the safety device 10C according to this third embodiment is equipped with a flow rate integration unit 14 as described above. Therefore, in the safety device 10C, the fluid usage information (integrated value) generated by the safety device 10C can also be used as safety processing information for the safety determination processing unit 11. Accordingly, in this disclosure, the safety processing information is not necessarily limited to the output information from the flow rate measuring device 20C.

[0084] Furthermore, in the flow rate measuring device 20C according to this third embodiment, the safety device 10C mounted as the safety unit 30C is equipped with a flow rate integration unit 14. Therefore, unlike the flow rate measuring device 20A according to the first embodiment or the flow rate measuring device 20B according to the second embodiment, the meter unit 21 does not need to be equipped with a flow rate integration unit 33. This simplifies the configuration of the flow rate measuring device 20C, particularly the configuration of the meter unit 21.

[0085] In this third embodiment, the safety device 10C is configured to have two internal communication units 12a and 12b, similar to the safety device 10A in the first embodiment, and the flow rate measuring device 20C is configured such that the meter unit 21 and the safety device 10C communicate internally via the internal communication unit 12a, and the flow rate measuring unit 23 and the safety device 10C communicate internally via the internal communication unit 12b. However, the configuration of this third embodiment is not limited to this, and similar to the safety device 10B and the flow rate measuring device 20B in the second embodiment, the safety device 10B may have one internal communication unit 12, and in the flow rate measuring device 20B, the meter unit 21 and the safety device 10B communicate internally via the internal communication unit 12, and the flow rate measuring unit 23 may be controlled by the meter unit 21.

[0086] (Embodiment 4) The safety device according to Embodiment 4 has basically the same configuration as the safety devices according to Embodiments 1 to 3, but is further equipped with a safety function state setting unit. An example of a typical configuration of the safety device according to Embodiment 4 will be described.

[0087] As shown in Figure 10, the safety device 10D according to Embodiment 4 of this disclosure, like the safety device 10A according to Embodiment 1, the safety device 10B according to Embodiment 2, or the safety device 10C according to Embodiment 3, includes a safety determination processing unit 11, internal communication units 12a and 12b, a safety determination value setting unit 13, and a flow rate integration unit 14, but further includes a safety function state setting unit 15. Note that the flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 4 has the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20C according to Embodiment 3 shown in Figure 9 (the safety device 10D includes a flow rate integration unit 14, and the meter unit 21 does not include a flow rate integration unit 33), so its explanation is omitted.

[0088] The safety functions that can be performed by the flow rate measuring device 20C are not limited to a single function; it is sufficient to have a configuration that allows for the execution of multiple safety functions, taking into account the expected usage conditions of the flow rate measuring device 20C. However, in the actual usage of the flow rate measuring device 20C, it is necessary to consider the various usage conditions described in Embodiment 1 above. In that case, for example, even if the flow rate measuring device 20C is capable of performing five safety functions, depending on the usage conditions, it may be sufficient to use only one to four of the five safety functions.

[0089] Therefore, in the safety device 10D according to this embodiment 4, the safety function state setting unit 15 allows multiple safety functions to be set to enable or disable and saved. This makes it possible to select and set only the necessary or suitable functions from among the multiple safety functions to be executed, depending on the usage conditions of the flow rate measuring device 20C or the specific configuration of the flow rate measuring device 20C. This makes it possible to easily implement safety functions according to the usage status of the flow rate measuring device 20C.

[0090] For example, in the case of the safe continuous use time determination function or leak detection function described in Embodiment 1 above, the safety function can perform two-stage functions: alarm activation and gas supply shutoff. In this case, depending on the usage conditions of the flow rate measuring device 20C, the safety function state setting unit 15 can, for example, disable alarm activation. Alternatively, if a warning notification is performed as a safety function before the alarm is activated, it is possible to disable the warning notification, or to enable the warning notification and disable the alarm activation.

[0091] Furthermore, the safety function status setting unit 15 may be configured to further set and save the execution conditions for a safety function that has been set to be enabled. This makes it possible to set and save conditions for performing specific actions, such as issuing an alarm or shutting off the fluid supply, when the safety function is executed.

[0092] For example, the safety determination processing unit 11 performs safety processing to execute a three-stage safety function: when the first condition is met, instead of immediately shutting off the fluid supply (flow) in the flow measurement device 20C, it issues a warning message; when the second condition is met, the flow measurement device 20C issues an alarm; and when the third condition is met, it activates the shutoff. At this time, the safety function state setting unit 15 sets and saves the first to third conditions based on the operating conditions of the flow measurement device 20C.

[0093] Alternatively, depending on the specific configuration of the flow rate measuring device 20C, the method of issuing a warning or alarm may also differ. For example, some configurations display information using the display unit 32, while others, if equipped with a speaker or the like as an output unit, issue an alarm as audio information. In this case, the safety function state setting unit 15 appropriately sets and saves the conditions for issuing a warning or alarm, according to the configuration of the flow rate measuring device 20C.

[0094] This makes it possible to optimize the execution of the effectively configured safety function according to the operating conditions of the flow meter 20C, or the specific configuration of the flow meter 20C. Therefore, it becomes easier to implement safety functions according to the usage conditions of the flow meter 20C.

[0095] The specific configuration of the security function state setting unit 15 is not particularly limited. Typically, similar to the security determination processing unit 11 and the security determination value setting unit 13 described in Embodiment 1, the security function state setting unit 15 can also be a known control device functional configuration realized by the operation of the arithmetic unit according to a program stored in the storage device.

[0096] Next, a typical example of security processing in the security device 10D according to this embodiment 4 will be described, but the security processing is not limited to this. In this embodiment 4, as shown in Figure 11, first, the security device 10D uses the security function status setting unit 15 to set each of the multiple security functions to be enabled or disabled (step S21). After this step, a step may be performed to appropriately set the execution conditions for the enabled security functions.

[0097] Next, the security device 10D sets and saves the security determination values ​​that can be set for each security function using the security determination value setting unit 13 (step S22). Next, the security device 10D acquires security processing information via the internal communication units 12a and 12b (step S23). The security determination processing unit 11 of the security device 10D determines whether or not to execute the security function (security processing, step S24).

[0098] If it is determined that the safety function should not be executed (NO in step S24), the system repeatedly acquires safety processing information via the internal communication units 12a and 12b (returning to step S23). On the other hand, if it is determined that the safety function should be executed (YES in step S24), the safety determination processing unit 11 generates the determination result, i.e., safety command information, and transmits it to the flow rate measuring device 20C via the internal communication units 12a and 12b (step S25). After that, the safety device 10D repeatedly acquires safety processing information (returning to step S23).

[0099] As described above, in the safety device 10D according to this fourth embodiment, similar to the safety device 10A according to the first embodiment, the internal communication units 12a and 12b acquire output information from the flow rate measuring device 20C as safety processing information, and the safety determination processing unit 11 uses this safety processing information to perform a process (safety processing) to determine the execution of a safety function, and transmits the resulting safety command information to the flow rate measuring device 20C. The flow rate measuring device 20C executes the safety function based on the received safety command information. This makes it possible to easily implement a safety function even if the flow rate measuring device 20C does not have a safety function.

[0100] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment 4, the safety device 10D includes a safety determination value setting unit 13 and a safety function status setting unit 15. This allows the user to set and save safety determination values ​​according to the usage conditions, and to select and activate necessary or suitable safety functions from among multiple safety functions. As a result, the safety determination processing unit 11 performs safety processing based on the set safety determination values ​​to generate safety command information, and the flow rate measuring device 20C executes the activated safety functions based on this safety command information. Therefore, necessary or suitable safety functions can be executed according to the usage conditions of the flow rate measuring device 20C.

[0101] In this embodiment 4, the safety device 10D is configured to include two internal communication units 12a and 12b, similar to the safety device 10A or safety device 10C according to embodiment 1. However, the configuration according to this embodiment 4 is not limited to this, and the safety device 10D may be configured to include one internal communication unit 12, similar to the safety device 10B and flow rate measuring device 20B according to embodiment 2, and applied to the flow rate measuring device 20B (the meter unit 21 and the safety device 10B communicate internally via the internal communication unit 12, and the flow rate measuring unit 23 is controlled by the meter unit 21).

[0102] Furthermore, in this fourth embodiment, since the safety device 10D is equipped with a flow rate integration unit 14, the flow rate measuring device 20C according to the third embodiment, i.e., a configuration in which the meter unit 21 does not have a flow rate integration unit 33, is given as an example of a device on which the safety device 10D is mounted. However, the configuration according to this fourth embodiment is not limited to this, and the safety device 10D may be equipped with a safety function state setting unit 15 but not with a flow rate integration unit 14, and the device on which the safety device 10D is mounted may be the flow rate measuring device 20A according to the first embodiment, i.e., a configuration in which the meter unit 21 is equipped with a flow rate integration unit.

[0103] (Embodiment 5) The safety device according to Embodiment 5 has basically the same configuration as the safety devices according to Embodiments 1 to 4, but is further equipped with a setting storage unit. An example of a typical configuration of the safety device according to Embodiment 5 will be described.

[0104] As shown in Figure 12, the safety device 10E according to Embodiment 5 of this disclosure, like the safety device 10D according to Embodiment 4, includes a safety determination processing unit 11, internal communication units 12a and 12b, a safety determination value setting unit 13, a flow rate integration unit 14, and a safety function state setting unit 15, but also includes a setting storage unit 16. Note that the flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 5 has the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20C according to Embodiment 3 shown in Figure 9 (the safety device 10E includes a flow rate integration unit 14, and the meter unit 21 does not include a flow rate integration unit 33), so its explanation will be omitted.

[0105] The setting storage unit 16 stores various setting values ​​associated with the execution of safety functions in the flow rate measuring device 20C, and its specific configuration is not particularly limited. Typically, known storage devices can be suitably used. Alternatively, if the setting storage unit 16 is capable of resetting and storing various setting values, the setting storage unit 16 can also be configured to be a known control device functional configuration, realized by the operation of the arithmetic unit according to a program stored in the storage device, similar to the safety determination processing unit 11, safety determination value setting unit 13 described in Embodiment 1, or the safety function state setting unit 15 described in Embodiment 4.

[0106] Various settings associated with the execution of the safety function can be stored in a memory unit or the like provided by the flow rate measuring device 20C, which is capable of internal communication with the safety device 10E. Therefore, the safety device 10E can restore the various settings by communicating with the flow rate measuring device 20E. Furthermore, by including a setting memory unit 16 in the safety device 10E, it can store various settings related to the safety function separately from the flow rate measuring device 20C. This not only allows the safety device 10E to back up various settings, but also allows the safety device 10E to restore the various settings even when communicating with the flow rate measuring device 20C independently.

[0107] In this embodiment 5, the safety device may also be configured to include an input unit such as an operation unit. For example, the safety device 10F shown in Figure 13 has basically the same configuration as the safety device 10E shown in Figure 12, and includes a safety determination processing unit 11, internal communication units 12a and 12b, a safety determination value setting unit 13, a flow rate integration unit 14, a safety function state setting unit 15, and a setting storage unit 16, but also includes an operation unit 17.

[0108] Thus, by having an operating unit 17 in the safety device 10F, the safety device 10F is unitized, and even when it is not mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20C, it is possible to restore various setting values ​​by operating the operating unit 17, for example, using the setting storage unit 16 as described above. Alternatively, even when the safety device 10F is mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20C, it is possible to choose whether to restore various setting values ​​by the setting storage unit 16 or by the storage unit of the flow rate measuring device 20C by operating the operating unit 17.

[0109] The specific configuration of the operating unit 17 of the safety device 10F is not particularly limited. Typically, it can have a configuration similar to the operating unit 24 of the flow rate measuring devices 20A to 20C exemplified in Embodiment 1. Although not shown in Figure 13, the safety device 10F may also have an output unit such as a display unit. The display unit of the safety device 10F can also have a configuration similar to the display unit 32 of the safety devices 10A to 10C exemplified in Embodiment 1.

[0110] Furthermore, the safety devices 10A to 10D according to embodiments 1 to 4 may also be configured to include an operation unit 17. In this case, in the safety devices 10A to 10D, or the safety device 10F according to embodiment 5, it is possible to use not only the output information from the flow rate measuring devices 20A to 20C, but also the information input from an input unit such as the operation unit 17 as safety processing information. Therefore, in the safety devices 10A to 10F according to this disclosure, the safety processing information used for safety processing by the safety determination processing unit 11 is not limited to the output information from the flow rate measuring devices 20A to 20C, but other information can also be used.

[0111] The same applies when the safety devices 10A to 10F are equipped with output units such as display units. For example, the safety determination processing unit 11 of the safety devices 10A to 10F performs safety processing, and the determination result can be displayed not only on the display unit 32 of the flow rate measuring devices 20A to 20C, but also on the display units provided by the safety devices 10A to 10F.

[0112] In this embodiment 5, the safety device 10E or safety device 10F is configured to include two internal communication units 12a and 12b, similar to the safety device 10A or safety device 10C according to embodiment 1. However, the configuration according to this embodiment 5 is not limited to this, and the safety device 10E or 10F may be configured to include one internal communication unit 12, similar to the safety device 10B and flow rate measuring device 20B according to embodiment 2, and may be applied to the flow rate measuring device 20B.

[0113] Furthermore, in this embodiment 5, since the safety device 10E or safety device 10F is equipped with a flow rate integration unit 14, the flow rate measuring device 20C according to embodiment 3, i.e., a configuration in which the meter unit 21 does not have a flow rate integration unit 33, is given as an example of the target on which the safety device 10E or safety device 10F is mounted. However, the configuration according to this embodiment 5 is not limited to this, and the safety device 10E or safety device 10F may be configured without a flow rate integration unit 14, and the target on which the safety device 10E or safety device 10F is mounted may be the flow rate measuring device 20A according to embodiment 1, i.e., a configuration in which the meter unit 21 is equipped with a flow rate integration unit.

[0114] (Embodiment 6) In this embodiment 6, a configuration in which the safety unit, i.e., the safety device exemplified in embodiments 1 to 5 above, is unitized so that it can be mounted on a flow rate measuring device will be described by giving other representative examples.

[0115] In the flow rate measuring device 20A shown in Figure 2 (Embodiment 1), the flow rate measuring device 20B shown in Figure 7 (Embodiment 2), or the flow rate measuring device 20C shown in Figure 9 (Embodiments 3-5), the safety units 30A-30C were substantially composed only of safety devices 10A-10F (basic example of unitization). However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the safety devices 10A-10F and other components of the flow rate measuring devices 20A-20C may be integrated into a single unit.

[0116] Specifically, for example, the flow rate measuring device 20D shown in Figure 14 basically has the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20A shown in Figure 2, but this flow rate measuring device 20D is equipped with a safety unit 30D in which the safety device 10A and the flow rate measuring unit 23 are integrated into a single unit (first modification of unitization). Therefore, the flow rate measuring device 20D does not have a flow rate measuring unit 23, and the safety device 10A is configured to communicate internally with the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20D.

[0117] With the configuration shown in Figure 14, the safety unit 30D can be used as a unit with a fluid measurement function. In the safety unit 30D, the safety device 10A and the flow rate measurement unit 23 may be separate components and configured to communicate internally with each other via the internal communication unit 12b of the safety device 10A (see Figure 1 or Figure 2), or the flow rate measurement unit 23 may be integrated with the safety device 10A.

[0118] Furthermore, the flow rate measuring device 20E shown in Figure 15, like the flow rate measuring device 20D shown in Figure 14, basically has the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20A shown in Figure 2. However, this flow rate measuring device 20E is equipped with a safety unit 30E in which the safety device 10A, the flow rate measuring unit 23, and the sensor unit 25 are integrated into a single unit (second modification of unitization). Therefore, the flow rate measuring device 20E does not have the flow rate measuring unit 23 and the sensor unit 25, and the safety device 10A is configured to communicate internally with the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20D. With the configuration shown in Figure 15, the safety unit 30E can be used as a unit with a sensor function.

[0119] Furthermore, the flow rate measuring device 20F shown in Figure 16 basically has the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20C shown in Figure 9, but this flow rate measuring device 20F is equipped with a safety unit 30F in which a safety device 10C equipped with a flow rate measuring unit 23 and a flow rate integrating unit 14 are integrated into a single unit (third variation of unitization). Therefore, the flow rate measuring device 20F does not have a flow rate measuring unit 23, and the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20F does not have a flow rate integrating unit 33. With the configuration shown in Figure 16, the safety unit 30F can be used as a unit with fluid measurement function and flow rate integrating function.

[0120] Furthermore, the flow rate measuring device 20G shown in Figure 17, like the flow rate measuring device 20F shown in Figure 16, basically has the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20C shown in Figure 9. However, this flow rate measuring device 20G is equipped with a safety unit 30G in which a safety device 10C equipped with a flow rate measuring unit 23, a flow rate integration unit 14, and a sensor unit 25 are integrated into a single unit (fourth modification of unitization). Therefore, the flow rate measuring device 20G does not have a flow rate measuring unit 23 and a sensor unit 25, and the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20G does not have a flow rate integration unit. With the configuration shown in Figure 17, the safety unit 30G can be used as a unit equipped with fluid measurement function, flow rate integration function, and sensor function.

[0121] Furthermore, the flow rate measuring device 20H shown in Figure 18 has basically the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20A shown in Figure 2, and the flow rate measuring device 20H is equipped with a safety unit 30H that is a unitized version of only the safety device 10A. However, as shown in Figure 18, the operation unit 24 and sensor unit 25 of the flow rate measuring device 20H can receive input not only from the meter unit 21 but also from the safety device 10A (safety unit 30H), and the valve unit 26 of the flow rate measuring device 20H can be controlled not only from the meter unit 21 but also from the output of the safety device 10A (safety unit 30H) (fifth modification of unitization).

[0122] Furthermore, in the safety units 30D to 30G shown in Figures 14 to 17, input may be possible from the input section of the flow measurement devices 20D to 20G, as in the safety unit 30H shown in Figure 18, and output may also be possible from the output section of the flow measurement devices 20D to 20G. With the configuration shown in Figure 18, various information can be input to the safety unit 30H from the input section of the flow measurement device 20H, and the output section can be operated by the control of the safety unit 30H. Therefore, better safety processing and execution of safety functions become possible.

[0123] In this disclosure, the specific configurations of the security units 30A to 30H are not limited to those shown in Figures 2, 7, 9, and 14 to 18. For example, other modifications of the security unit according to this disclosure may include means other than those provided by the security units 30A to 30H (basic configuration example and the first to fifth modifications) shown in Figures 2, 7, 9, and 14 to 18. Furthermore, the security units 30A to 30H may include means for realizing additional functions other than security functions.

[0124] Furthermore, the specific mounting method of the safety units 30A to 30H on the flow measurement devices 20A to 20H is not particularly limited. For example, the safety units 30A to 30H may be configured to be detachably mounted on a part of the housing of the host flow measurement devices 20A to 20H. Alternatively, the communication method by the internal communication units 12, 12a, and 12b is standardized for the host flow measurement devices 20A to 20H, and the housings of the flow measurement devices 20A to 20H and the housings of the safety units 30A to 30H do not need to be particularly standardized or shared. Thus, the flow measurement devices 20A to 20H according to this disclosure only need to be equipped with safety devices 10A to 10F, etc., having the above-described configuration.

[0125] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the safety devices 10A to 10F may not be unitized but may be integrally provided with the flow rate measuring devices 20A to 20H. For example, in the flow rate measuring device 20I shown in Figure 19, the safety devices are not mounted as a unitized component, but rather integrally provided as a safety unit 10G that receives control of the meter unit 21. Depending on the configuration of the flow rate measuring device 20I, it may be possible to adopt a configuration in which the safety devices are provided as an integrated safety unit 10G, which is one of the configurations of the flow rate measuring device 20I, rather than mounting a unitized safety device (safety unit) in a detachable manner.

[0126] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed in this specification. (Technology 1) A safety device for a flow rate measuring device, comprising: at least one internal communication unit that communicates with a flow rate measuring device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid; a safety determination processing unit that uses output information from the flow rate measuring device obtained through communication by the internal communication unit to determine the execution of a safety function in the flow rate measuring device and to instruct the transmission of safety command information, which is the determination result, through the internal communication unit; and a safety determination value setting unit that sets and stores a safety determination value used in determining the execution of the safety function in the safety determination processing unit.

[0127] According to the above configuration, the internal communication unit communicates with the flow metering device to acquire output information from the flow metering device as safety processing information. Based on this safety processing information, the safety determination processing unit performs a process (safety processing) to determine whether to execute the safety function, and transmits the result (safety command information) to the flow metering device via the internal communication unit. The flow metering device executes the safety function based on the received safety command information. This makes it possible to easily implement a safety function even if the flow metering device does not have one.

[0128] In order to realize the safety function, it is necessary to consider various conditions (usage conditions), such as the laws and regulations or standards of each country regarding flow measurement devices, the internal standards or criteria of the fluid supplier, the needs of the users of the flow measurement devices, and the suitability of the flow measurement devices to the installation site. With the above configuration, by providing a safety judgment value setting unit, the user can set and save a safety judgment value according to the usage conditions. As a result, the safety judgment processing unit will perform safety processing based on the set safety judgment value, using at least the output information obtained from the flow measurement device. Therefore, it becomes possible to execute a safety function according to the usage conditions of the flow measurement device.

[0129] Furthermore, by mounting the safety device with the above configuration onto a flow meter, suitable safety functions can be easily implemented on the flow meter according to the specific configuration of the flow meter that serves as the host for implementing the safety functions. In this way, since safety functions can be retrofitted to the flow meter, the flow meter itself can be composed of the minimum necessary system. Therefore, the development cost of the flow meter can be minimized. As a result, development related to safety functions in the flow meter becomes virtually unnecessary, enabling the efficient development of the flow meter.

[0130] (Technical 2) The flow rate measuring device is capable of executing multiple functions as the safety function, and further comprises a safety function state setting unit that sets and saves each of the multiple safety functions as either enabled or disabled, as described in Technical 1.

[0131] According to the above configuration, by further including a safety function state setting unit, it is possible to select and set to execute only the necessary or suitable functions from among multiple safety functions according to the operating conditions of the flow measurement device or the specific configuration of the flow measurement device. This makes it possible to easily implement safety functions according to the usage status of the flow measurement device.

[0132] (Technical 3) The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to Technical 2, wherein the safety function state setting unit further sets and saves the execution conditions for the safety function that has been set to be effective.

[0133] According to the above configuration, in an effectively configured safety function, conditions for performing specific actions, such as issuing an alarm or shutting off the fluid supply, can be set and saved when the safety function is executed. This makes it possible to optimize the execution of the effectively configured safety function according to the usage conditions of the flow meter or the specific configuration of the flow meter. This makes it easier to implement safety functions that are appropriate to the usage conditions of the flow meter.

[0134] (Technical 4) The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to Technical 1, further comprising a setting memory unit that stores various setting values ​​associated with the execution of the safety function.

[0135] According to the above configuration, the safety device includes a setting memory unit, allowing it to store various setting values ​​related to safety functions separately from the flow meter. This not only allows the safety device to back up various setting values, but also enables the safety device to restore these settings independently without communicating with the flow meter.

[0136] (Technical 5) A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 4, further comprising a flow rate integration unit that integrates the amount of fluid used from the flow rate information of the fluid included in the output information.

[0137] According to the above configuration, by including a flow rate integration unit in the safety device, the amount of fluid used can also be utilized during safety processing. Furthermore, if the safety device includes a flow rate integration unit, the flow measurement device does not need to include a flow rate integration unit. Therefore, it is possible to simplify or avoid complexity in the configuration of the flow measurement device on which the safety device is installed.

[0138] (Technical 6) A safety device for a flow measuring device according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 5, wherein the flow measuring device is capable of communicating with an external device, and the safety determination processing unit determines the execution of the safety function using the output information from the flow measuring device as well as the external output information obtained from the external device via the flow measuring device.

[0139] According to the above configuration, external output information obtained from external devices such as other flow measurement devices, setting devices, or center devices can be used for safety processing by the safety determination processing unit. This makes it possible to execute safety functions according to the usage status of the flow measurement device.

[0140] (Technical 7) The safety function includes at least one of issuing an alarm and shutting off the fluid, and the safety determination processing unit instructs the transmission of at least one of issuing an alarm and shutting off the fluid as safety command information, the safety device for a flow measuring device according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 6.

[0141] According to the above configuration, the safety determination processing unit transmits safety command information to the flow meter via the internal communication unit, instructing the flow meter to perform either an alarm, a fluid shutoff, or both, as safety functions of the flow meter. As a result, the flow meter can perform safety functions such as alerting the user by issuing an alarm, automatically shutting off the fluid, or shutting off the fluid after an alarm is issued.

[0142] (Technical 8) A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 7, which is unitized so as to be mounted on the flow rate measuring device.

[0143] (Technical 9) A safety device for a flow measuring device according to Technical 8, which is unitized with a flow measuring unit for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, which is provided in the flow measuring device.

[0144] (Technical 10) A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to Technical 8 or Technical 9, which is unitized together with the sensor part of the flow rate measuring device.

[0145] (Technical 11) A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to any one of Technical 8 to Technical 10, further comprising a flow rate integration unit that integrates the amount of fluid used from the flow rate information of the fluid included in the output information.

[0146] According to the above configurations, the safety device is unitized and mounted on the flow meter, making it easy to implement a safety function in a flow meter that does not have one.

[0147] (Technical 12) A flow measuring device equipped with a safety device for a flow measuring device described in any one of Technical 1 to Technical 11.

[0148] According to the above configuration, the safety device according to this disclosure can be suitably applied to a flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate of various fluids.

[0149] (Technical 13) The flow rate measuring device according to Technical 12, further comprising a meter unit that controls the flow rate measuring operation of the flow rate measuring device, an input unit that inputs external information to the meter unit, and an output unit that operates under the control of the meter unit.

[0150] (Technical 14) The flow rate measuring device according to Technical 13, wherein the input unit is at least one of an operation unit that inputs operation information as external information, or a sensor unit that detects information relating to the measurement of the flow rate and inputs it as external information, and the output unit is a valve unit that opens and closes under the control of the meter unit.

[0151] (Technical 15) A flow rate measuring device according to any one of Technical 12 to 14, further comprising an external communication unit for communicating with an external device.

[0152] According to the above configuration, if the flow rate measuring device is equipped with an input unit such as an operation unit or a sensor unit, or an external communication unit, the safety device equipped with the flow rate measuring device can acquire, for example, operation information from the operation unit, detection information from the sensor unit, or flow rate information from an external device, and the safety determination processing unit can determine whether to execute the safety function, and the determination result can be used to control the flow rate measuring device, for example, the output unit. Furthermore, if the output unit is, for example, a valve unit, the valve unit can be opened and closed based on the determination result of the safety device.

[0153] (Technical 16) A gas meter, a flow rate measuring device according to any one of Technical 12 to Technical 15.

[0154] As described above, the safety device according to this disclosure can be suitably applied to various types of flow measuring devices. In particular, the safety device according to this disclosure can be suitably used when implementing a safety function in a gas meter.

[0155] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Therefore, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments or multiple modifications are also included in the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0156] Furthermore, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description. Therefore, the above description should be interpreted as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of its structure and / or function can be substantially modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0157] This disclosure can be broadly and suitably used in the field of flow measurement devices with safety functions, or safety devices for flow measurement devices.

[0158] 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F: Safety device 10G: Safety unit (safety device) 11: Safety determination processing unit 12, 12a, 12b: Internal communication unit 13: Safety determination value setting unit 14: Flow rate integration unit (of safety device) 15: Safety function state setting unit 16: Setting storage unit 17: Operation unit (of safety device) 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G, 20H, 20I: Flow rate measuring device 21: Meter unit 22: External communication unit 23: Flow rate measuring unit 24: Operation unit (input unit) 25: Sensor unit (input unit) 26: Valve unit (output unit) 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F, 30G, 30H: Safety unit 31: Control unit 32: Display unit 33: Flow rate integration unit (of the flow rate measuring device)

Claims

1. A safety device for a flow measuring device, comprising: at least one internal communication unit that communicates with a flow measuring device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid; a safety determination processing unit that uses output information from the flow measuring device obtained through communication by the internal communication unit to determine the execution of a safety function in the flow measuring device and to instruct the transmission of safety command information, which is the determination result, through the internal communication unit; and a safety determination value setting unit that sets and stores a safety determination value used in determining the execution of the safety function in the safety determination processing unit.

2. The flow rate measuring device is capable of executing multiple functions as the safety function, and further comprises a safety function state setting unit that sets and saves each of the multiple safety functions as either enabled or disabled, according to claim 1.

3. The safety function status setting unit further sets and saves the execution conditions for the safety function that has been set to be effective, the safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 2.

4. The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a setting memory unit for storing various setting values ​​associated with the execution of the safety function.

5. The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a flow rate integration unit that integrates the amount of fluid used from the fluid flow rate information included in the output information.

6. The flow rate measuring device is capable of communicating with an external device, and the safety determination processing unit determines the execution of the safety function using the output information from the flow rate measuring device as well as the external output information obtained from the external device via the flow rate measuring device, according to claim 1.

7. The safety function includes at least one of issuing an alarm and shutting off the fluid, and the safety determination processing unit instructs the transmission of at least one of issuing an alarm and shutting off the fluid as safety command information, the safety device for a flow measuring device according to claim 1.

8. A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, which is unitized so as to be mounted on the flow rate measuring device.

9. A safety device for a flow measuring device according to claim 8, which is unitized with a flow measuring unit for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, which is provided in the flow measuring device.

10. A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 8, which is unitized together with the sensor part of the flow rate measuring device.

11. The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 8, further comprising a flow rate integration unit that integrates the amount of fluid used from the fluid flow rate information included in the output information.

12. A flow rate measuring device comprising a safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 12, further comprising: a meter unit for controlling the flow rate measuring operation of the flow rate measuring device; an input unit for inputting external information to the meter unit; and an output unit that operates under the control of the meter unit.

14. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 13, wherein the input unit is at least one of an operation unit that inputs operation information as external information, or a sensor unit that detects information relating to the measurement of the flow rate and inputs it as external information, and the output unit is a valve unit that opens and closes under the control of the meter unit.

15. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 12, further comprising an external communication unit for communicating with an external device.

16. A flow rate measuring device according to claim 12, which is a gas meter.

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