JP3819763B2 - Gas appliance determination device and gas meter having gas appliance determination function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas appliance determination apparatus installed in a gas supply line to each household and used for a gas meter having a gas flow meter, etc., and relates to a gas appliance determination capable of determining a gas appliance used in a home. Relates to the device. According to the gas appliance determination apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to provide a more advanced security function and service corresponding to the gas appliance by specifying the gas appliance in use.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A gas meter with a built-in gas flow meter is installed at the entrance of the gas supply line to each household. The gas meter measures the gas flow rate passing through the gas supply line, and the measured gas flow rate is used for the periodic calculation of the billed gas charge. In addition to the basic function of measuring the gas flow rate, such a gas meter has a security function of shutting off the gas supply when an abnormal condition occurs. According to this safety function, gas is shut off by a shut-off valve provided in the gas flow path of the gas meter in response to detection of an abnormal use state such as detection of an earthquake or forgetting to turn off the gas leaking instrument.
[0003]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a set value of safe continuous use time used for blocking when the safe continuous use time is over, which is one of the security functions. This function assumes that an abnormal usage condition such as a gas leak has occurred if the gas flow is continuously used after the occurrence of the gas flow is detected and the duration is too long. This is a function to shut off the gas. As shown in FIG. 1, a large water heater with a large gas flow rate is continuously used for only about 30 minutes, while a stove with a small gas flow rate will be used continuously for a long time. On the premise, the safe continuous use time when the gas flow rate is large is set short, and the safe continuous use time when the gas flow rate is low is set long.
[0004]
And when the gas flow rate is generated or changed, the gas meter determines that the use of any gas appliance has started, measures the time that the flow rate continues, and exceeds the safe continuous use time shown in FIG. When the flow rate continues, gas is shut off for security reasons. Therefore, the safe continuous use time (time limit) over cutoff is performed based on the flow rate of gas used without specifying the gas appliance in use.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as shown in FIG. 1, there are different gas appliances such as a stove that is used for a relatively long time and a stove that is used only for a relatively short time and a small water heater in a small gas flow range. In the conventional gas meter, since the gas appliance in use cannot be specified, the safe continuous use time is set to be long in accordance with the long-time use stove. As a result, the continuous use time for safety stoves and small water heaters is not necessarily optimal. Therefore, if the gas meter can discriminate the gas appliance in use, it is advantageous because a security function suitable for it can be provided.
[0006]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various methods have been proposed for determining a gas appliance in use from a gas flow rate detected by a gas meter. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-236513 proposes that the information from the flow rate change recognition means of the gas meter is combined with seasonal information and the type of gas appliance is determined by fuzzy inference. However, the discrimination logic is very ambiguous and unrealistic. Therefore, the conventional gas appliance determination method cannot determine the gas appliance in use with high accuracy, and can be used to provide an optimal security function and other services depending on the determination result. There wasn't.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas appliance determination device capable of determining a gas appliance in use with high accuracy and a gas meter having the same.
[0008]
The configuration of the gas appliance determination device of the present invention for achieving the above object is generated in association with combustion control for a plurality of types of gas appliances in a gas appliance determination device for determining a gas appliance connected to a gas supply line. A partial flow pattern obtained by dividing a series of gas flow patterns, a flow pattern table that is classified for each control step, and a registration that is registered for each customer and has the partial flow pattern and gas flow for each control step corresponding to the gas appliance. A partial flow pattern that matches an instrument table and a gas flow pattern detected in the gas supply line is extracted from the flow pattern table, and a gas that matches a combination of the extracted partial flow patterns and a gas flow rate of each control step. A registered appliance judging means for extracting appliances from the registered appliance table. The plurality of control steps in the flow rate pattern table and the registered instrument table have at least an ignition time, a subsequent initial transition period, and a subsequent stable period. It is characterized by doing.
[0009]
In the above configuration, in order to determine the gas appliance in use from the change in the gas flow rate when the gas appliance is used, the concept of a partial flow pattern obtained by dividing a series of complicated gas flow changes for each combustion control step Is introduced. For a plurality of gas appliances that can be used, partial flow patterns are classified for each control step and registered in the flow pattern table. Further, the combination of partial flow patterns corresponding to the gas appliances used by the customer and the gas flow rate in each partial flow pattern are registered in the registered appliance table. Then, the gas flow rate pattern detected by the gas flow meter and the gas device that matches the gas flow rate are extracted from the registered device table.
[0010]
That is, in the present invention, a complicated series of gas flow patterns associated with the combustion control of the gas appliance is simplified to a partial flow pattern divided for each control step to facilitate matching with the detected gas flow pattern, The gas appliance can be determined in consideration of the gas flow rate in each partial flow rate pattern. The flow rate pattern table and the registered instrument table may be realized by a single table in which partial flow patterns are associated with gas instruments.
[0011]
In a more preferred embodiment of the above invention, the partial flow rate pattern has flow rate waveform characteristic data with respect to the time of the gas flow rate pattern. The characteristic data is, for example, a determination reference index obtained by extracting the characteristics of the flow pattern of each gas appliance, such as the time to reach a certain flow rate, the flow rate range at a certain time, and the changing flow rate range and ratio. Therefore, the registered appliance determination means extracts (calculates) the feature data from the gas flow rate pattern detected by the gas flow meter, and determines whether or not it matches the feature data of the partial flow rate pattern of the previously registered flow rate pattern table. Make a decision.
[0012]
In a more preferred embodiment of the above invention, the plurality of control steps have at least an ignition time, a subsequent initial transition period, and a subsequent stable period in which the flow rate is stabilized. Some gas appliances have different flow patterns during ignition, while others have the same. Therefore, the gas appliance cannot be determined only by the flow rate pattern at the time of ignition. The flow pattern in the initial transition period following ignition and the flow pattern in the stable period are the same. Therefore, determining the gas appliance from at least the partial flow patterns in these three control steps can contribute to the improvement of the determination accuracy.
[0013]
Further, the ignition time is a period from when the gas flow rate is generated to a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds), and the subsequent initial transition period is a period from the ignition time until the stable period where the gas flow rate becomes substantially constant. It is a period. Therefore, by monitoring the change in the gas flow rate, it is possible to distinguish between the ignition period, the initial transient period, and the stable period, and to match the divided flow rate patterns divided by these periods.
[0014]
The gas flow rate registered in the registered instrument table is, for example, a flow rate characteristic of each partial flow pattern, and is a fixed value obtained from an average value of multiple detections, a range such as a maximum value / minimum value, etc. be registered.
[0015]
When a predetermined time limit is exceeded for the gas appliance determined by the registered appliance determination means, a gas shut-off / alarm security function is executed. Preferably, a time limit is set for each gas appliance. The appliance determination by the registered appliance table is highly accurate, and a fine security function is realized with a time limit set for each gas appliance. More preferably, even if the detected gas flow rate fluctuates during monitoring, monitoring of the time limit is continued.
[0016]
More preferably, the gas appliance determination device of the present invention further includes a gas leak detection unit that detects a gas leak based on the presence or absence of a change in gas flow rate corresponding to a change in gas supply pressure, and the registered appliance determination unit includes: When an abnormal value of the detected gas flow rate is detected, the gas leak detection means may perform gas leak detection. Further, when the registered appliance determination means cannot extract from the registered appliance table a gas appliance that matches the partial flow rate pattern detected in any of the control steps of the combustion control and the gas flow rate of the control step, the gas leak detection means, Gas leak detection may be performed. By performing gas leak detection, a higher security level can be secured.
[0017]
The gas supply pressure varies depending on the usage time and usage status of a plurality of gas consumers. For this reason, most gas appliances incorporate a gas governor as pressure adjusting means so that combustion is not affected even if the gas supply pressure fluctuates. Therefore, only when the gas appliance cannot be determined, it is possible to detect an error in the gas leak by detecting the presence or absence of the gas governor installed in most gas appliances from the presence or absence of changes in the gas flow rate when the gas supply pressure fluctuates. Can be reduced. On the contrary, as long as the pressure is not lowered below a certain pressure, there is no problem with the combustion of the gas appliance. it can. Further, the presence of the gas governor can be detected by monitoring the change in the gas flow rate when the change in the gas supply pressure is detected without being actively changed.
[0018]
The flow rate pattern table and the new instrument table may be realized by a single table in which partial flow patterns are associated with gas instruments.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention, but extends to the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gas meter in the present embodiment. The gas meter 10 is installed in the middle of the gas supply pipes 12 and 14, and the downstream gas supply pipe 14 is connected to one or a plurality of gas appliances 18 </ b> A, B, and C installed in the customer premises 16. . Examples of the gas appliance include a water heater, a fan heater, and a table stove.
[0021]
The gas meter 10 receives a flow rate signal from a gas flow rate detection means 20, a gas cutoff valve 22, a proportional valve 35 as a gas pressure fluctuation device, a gas pressure sensor 34, and a gas flow meter provided in the gas flow path. A gas meter control unit 24 that receives and measures the accumulated gas amount, further determines a gas appliance in use, and performs a security function corresponding thereto. The gas meter control unit 24 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer in which a control program is installed. Accordingly, the battery 26 is connected to the gas meter control unit 24.
[0022]
Further, the gas meter 10 displays a gas amount display unit 28 that displays the measured accumulated gas amount, a seismic device 30 that detects the occurrence of an earthquake, notifies the remote gas center of the accumulated gas amount, and a security function. Corresponding to the communication unit 32 for receiving control of the gas shut-off valve from the monitoring center. In addition, various sensors and actuators are provided.
[0023]
The gas flow rate detection means 20 in this embodiment is not a membrane type flow meter that outputs a pulse signal when a certain volume of gas widely used in conventional gas meters flows, but instantaneously at intervals of 2 seconds or less. It is a flow meter that can detect a typical gas flow rate. For example, an ultrasonic flowmeter that sends ultrasonic waves bidirectionally along the gas flow path, detects the gas flow velocity from each propagation time, and outputs an instantaneous gas flow rate signal from the relationship with the cross-sectional area of the gas piping is preferable. . Other than that, even in fluidic meters that generate Karman vortices in the gas flow and detect the flow velocity from the vibration frequency, and membrane type flow meters, the pulse signal interval is narrower than the conventional pulse signal at intervals of 2 seconds or less. May be output. Alternatively, it may be a hot-wire flow meter that detects that the temperature distribution from the hot wire has changed according to the gas flow rate.
[0024]
By using a gas flow meter that can detect the instantaneous gas flow rate at relatively short intervals as described above, the waveform of the gas flow rate with respect to time can be detected more accurately, and the flow rate pattern can be used as a reference. Enables determination of gas appliances.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the gas meter according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the gas meter has three operation modes: a normal determination mode, a new registration mode, and an operation monitoring mode. The gas meter determines the gas appliance being used in the normal determination mode or the new registration mode, and realizes a safety function (gas cutoff, alarm output, etc.) suitable for the specified gas appliance in the operation monitoring mode. In order to execute the above three operation modes, the gas meter has a flow rate pattern table, a new instrument table, and a registered instrument table.
[0026]
The flow rate pattern table 50 classifies and stores partial flow rate patterns obtained by dividing a series of gas flow rate patterns generated along with combustion control for each control step. Accordingly, as many or all possible gas appliance partial flow patterns are pre-analyzed and the partial flow patterns are classified for each control step and stored in the flow pattern table 50.
[0027]
The new appliance table 52 preferably stores all the gas appliances that can be used by the customer and the combinations of the partial flow patterns corresponding to them. Therefore, each customer's home gas meter has the same new instrument table 52.
[0028]
On the other hand, the registered appliance table 54 stores a gas appliance used for each customer in association with a combination of partial flow patterns corresponding thereto. As will be described in detail later, the registered appliance table 54 extracts gas appliances used at the customer's home from the new appliance table 52 by a predetermined process (new registration mode). It is created by registering a combination of partial flow patterns corresponding to it in the registered instrument table 54. Therefore, the registered appliance table 54 is a table that differs depending on each gas meter (each customer).
[0029]
When the gas meter detects the gas flow rate, it performs gas appliance determination based on the registered appliance table in the normal determination mode, and when an appliance that matches the appliance registered in the registered appliance table is extracted, operation monitoring corresponding to the appliance is performed. Enter mode. If a matching appliance cannot be extracted, the process proceeds to a new registration mode, gas appliance determination is performed based on the new instrument table, and if a matching instrument is extracted, the operation monitoring mode is entered.
[0030]
Furthermore, if a matching instrument cannot be extracted even in the new registration mode, as will be described later, the presence or absence of gas leakage is determined based on whether or not the gas instrument is equipped with a gas governor (pressure regulator). The security operation is performed.
[0031]
As will be described later, the gas meter does not have to include the new instrument table 52 and the new registration mode using the new instrument table 52. The registered instrument table 54 for the gas instrument used at the customer's house is created by another method. May be.
[0032]
Hereinafter, each operation mode and each table will be described in more detail while describing a gas meter control unit for realizing the above operations.
[0033]
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the gas meter control unit in the present embodiment. Since the gas meter control unit 24 is realized by a microcomputer, its configuration includes a ROM that stores a control program, a RAM that temporarily stores data, and an ALU that executes the control program. However, FIG. 4 shows each module of the control program and the data configuration stored in the ROM or RAM.
[0034]
The gas flow rate signal S20 output from the gas flow rate detection means, for example, every 2 seconds or less has instantaneous gas flow rate information, and is stored in the memory 42 one by one corresponding to the time. In addition, the gas flow rate integration module 40 integrates the gas flow rate of the gas flow rate signal S20 and outputs a display signal S28 to the gas amount display unit. Therefore, the gas flow rate integration module 40 realizes the basic function of the gas meter.
[0035]
The gas meter according to the present embodiment can be determined from the change in the gas flow rate during use of the gas appliance connected to the gas pipe in the customer's house. The gas appliance determination module 43 has such a gas appliance determination function. Further, the gas meter has a gas leak detection function that detects that a large amount of gas has flowed or detects the presence or absence of a gas governor attached to the gas appliance, and the function is performed by the gas leak detection module 53. .
[0036]
The gas appliance determination module 43 includes a control step determination module 44 that determines each control step from the detected gas flow rate pattern (flow rate waveform with respect to time), and a part that extracts a partial flow rate pattern from the gas flow rate waveform divided for each control step. It has a flow rate pattern extraction module 46 and a matching module 48 that extracts matching gas appliances from the flow rate pattern table 50 and the new appliance table 52 or registered appliance table 54 using the partial flow pattern as a clue.
[0037]
The gas meter according to the present embodiment determines a gas appliance based on the registered appliance table 54 in the normal gas appliance determination process (normal determination mode), and if the gas appliance cannot be extracted from the registered appliance table 54, the gas meter is newly registered. According to the mode, the gas appliance is determined with reference to the new appliance table 52 and registered in the registered appliance table 54.
[0038]
The control step determination module 44 analyzes the gas flow rate waveform stored in the memory 42 at regular intervals, and determines a change in the combustion control step of the gas appliance. That is, in the present embodiment, the detected gas flow rate pattern is matched with a pre-registered partial flow rate pattern in units of partial flow rate patterns obtained by dividing a series of gas flow rate patterns generated in accordance with combustion control of the gas appliance. . Therefore, it is necessary to determine which control step currently corresponds to the detected gas flow rate pattern. Therefore, the control step determination module 44 determines which part of the gas flow rate waveform with respect to time stored in the memory 42 corresponds to which control step of the combustion control.
[0039]
The partial flow pattern extraction module 46 divides the detected gas flow pattern for each control step determined by the control step determination module, and extracts feature data of the divided partial flow pattern. The characteristic data of the partial flow rate pattern is an index used for pattern matching. As will be described in detail later, the flow rate waveform is characterized by time and flow rate. Therefore, the partial flow rate pattern extraction module 46 extracts feature data from the recorded gas flow rate waveform. This feature data is used by the matching module 48 for matching with the partial flow rate pattern.
[0040]
The matching module 48 searches the flow rate pattern table 50 and extracts a partial flow rate pattern in the flow rate pattern table 50 that matches the partial flow rate pattern extracted from the detected gas flow rate. In other words, using the partial flow pattern characteristic data described above as an index, matching partial flow patterns are extracted for each control step. Further, the matching module 48 refers to the registered instrument table 54 and extracts a gas appliance that matches the combination of the partial flow rate patterns extracted from the flow rate pattern table.
[0041]
In that case, more preferably, it is also determined whether or not the detected gas flow rate corresponds to a flow rate value for each gas device in the registered device table 54. Only a combination of partial flow patterns may match a plurality of gas appliances, and the gas flow value is also preferably used to identify the gas appliance in use from the plurality of gas appliances.
[0042]
As described above, when the gas appliance determination module 43 can identify the gas appliance, the operation monitoring module 56 executes the operation monitoring mode and executes the optimum security control for the identified gas appliance. it can. The most typical safety control is a safety continuous use time (time limit) over cutoff function by the specified gas appliance. In other words, the operation monitoring module 56 monitors whether or not the specified gas appliance has been used continuously beyond the safe continuous use time set for each type of gas appliance, and outputs the cut-off signal S22 when it exceeds. Then shut off the gas shut-off valve or output an alarm. Therefore, the operation monitoring can be performed based on the safe continuous use time (time limit) optimally set for each gas appliance, instead of setting the safe continuous use time depending on the gas flow rate as in the prior art.
[0043]
On the other hand, the matching module 48 may not be able to extract the gas appliance from the registered appliance table 54. For example, the customer purchases a new gas appliance in an initial state where nothing is registered in the registered appliance table 54 or after a gas appliance used by the customer is registered in the registered appliance table 54. Is the case. In such a case, the matching module 48 specifies the new gas appliance from the new appliance table 52 and registers the combination of the specified gas appliance and the partial flow rate pattern in the registered appliance table 54 (new registration mode ( (To be described later)).
[0044]
The gas leak detection module 53 performs a gas leak check when an appliance cannot be extracted from either the registered appliance table 54 or the new appliance table 52. Specifically, the supply valve pressure is controlled by controlling the proportional valve 35 in the gas flow path, and whether or not the gas flow rate is changed accordingly is monitored, and the presence or absence of the gas governor attached to the gas appliance is checked. To check. If the gas flow rate does not fluctuate, there is a gas governor, some gas appliance is used, a gas appliance judgment error has occurred, but the flow pattern table, new instrument table, new instrument not registered in the registered instrument table It can be assumed that a simple gas appliance is used. When the gas flow rate fluctuates, it can be considered that there is no gas governor and gas leakage due to gas pipe disconnection or the like has occurred. In addition, since the table cooker to which the governor is not mounted is determined by the gas appliance determination, it is excluded from the gas leak check here.
[0045]
Hereinafter, the gas flow pattern, the partial flow pattern, the flow pattern table, the new instrument table, and the registered instrument table will be specifically described.
[0046]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of gas flow patterns in a plurality of gas appliances. FIG. 5 includes (1) a hot water supply side burner (hereinafter referred to as a “hot water heater”), (2) a small water heater, and (3) a hot water bath reheating burner (hereinafter referred to as a “water heater”). (4) Fan heater, (5) Gas stove, (6) A series of gas flow waveforms generated with the combustion control of the table stove are shown. The vertical axis represents the gas flow rate, and the ignition time A, the initial transition period B, and the stable period C are shown as control steps.
[0047]
6, 7, and 8 are diagrams showing examples of partial flow rate patterns during ignition, during initial transition, and during stable periods. The gas flow patterns of the gas devices shown in FIG. 5 will be described, and examples of the partial flow patterns shown in FIGS.
[0048]
The gas flow rate pattern of the hot water heater (hot water supply) in FIG. 5 (1) is that during ignition A, the gas flow rate is controlled to an optimum gas flow rate for ignition, and then the soft ignition is performed. The feedforward and feedback control are entered with the maximum gas flow rate Qmax (or any gas flow rate). Eventually, the gas flow rate converges and the gas flow rate reaches a stable period C. In the initial transition period B between the ignition time A and the stable period C, the gas flow rate varies depending on the feedforward control and feedback control of the water heater, but in this example, the maximum input amount Qmax (or This is a first pattern that converges to a constant flow rate in a stable period while swinging up and down from an arbitrary gas flow rate). Other than that, the second pattern that gradually decreases from the maximum input amount Qmax (or any gas flow rate) and converges to a constant flow rate in the stable period, or gradually from any gas flow rate different from the maximum input amount Qmax. There is a third pattern that increases and converges to a constant flow rate in the stable period.
[0049]
The partial flow pattern at the time of ignition in FIG. 6 shows the above-described slow ignition pattern A-1. That is, in the slow ignition pattern A-1, the state of the ignition gas flow rate Q1 corresponding to 70 to 90% of the maximum gas flow rate Qmax at the time of ignition continues for a predetermined time t, and then the maximum gas flow rate Qmax (or an arbitrary gas flow rate Q2). ). That is, when the water temperature is low, the maximum input is used for rapid heating, and the hot water is discharged at a set temperature in a short time. Further, when the water temperature is not low, the gas flow rate is controlled to be controlled.
[0050]
Therefore, the characteristic data of the slow ignition pattern A-1 shows that the slow ignition gas flow rate Q1 is once within a range from less than 0.5 seconds to 10 seconds (0.5 sec ≦ t ≦ 10 sec). That is, the working gas flow rate Q1 is within a range of 70 to 90% of the maximum gas flow rate Qmax (Q1 = K (n / 3) Qmax, 0.7 ≦ K ≦ 0.9). However, the maximum gas flow rate Qmax differs depending on the number n of burners that are lightly ignited. If there are three burners and all three surfaces are ignited during slow ignition (n = 3), Q1 = KQmax, and if only two surfaces are ignited (n = 2), Q1 = K (2 / 3) When Qmax and only one surface is ignited (n = 1), either Q1 = K (1/3) Qmax. When the burner has two surfaces, Q1 = KQmax or Q1 = K (1/2) Qmax. When the burner has one surface, Q1 = KQmax. Furthermore, the maximum input amount Qmax differs depending on the capacity of the water heater (No. 16, No. 20, No. 24, No. 32, etc.).
[0051]
The partial flow rate pattern in the initial transition period of FIG. 7 includes a first pattern B-1 that converges to a constant flow rate Q3 while hunting up and down from the maximum gas flow rate Qmax (or any gas flow rate) described above, A second pattern B-2 that converges to a constant flow rate Q3 while gradually decreasing from the gas flow rate Qmax (or an arbitrary gas flow rate), and a third pattern that converges to a constant flow rate Q3 while gradually increasing from an arbitrary gas flow rate Q2. Pattern B-3 is shown.
[0052]
Furthermore, the partial flow rate pattern in the stable period of FIG. 8 shows the pattern C-1 maintained at the above-described constant gas flow rate. In this stable period, as long as the amount of water used for hot water supply is constant, a substantially constant gas flow rate Q3 is maintained. However, since feedforward and feedback control are maintained, the flow rate slightly fluctuates above and below the gas flow rate Q3. Become a pattern.
[0053]
Returning to FIG. 5, (2) in the flow rate pattern of the CF-type bath tank using the exhaust pipe or the balance type BF-type bath tank that does not require the exhaust pipe, the ignition time A becomes the pilot ignition pattern, and then the initial stage Without going through the transition period, the process proceeds to the stable period C where the flow rate is constant. At the time of ignition A, the pilot is first ignited, and a very small gas flow rate is generated for the pilot burner. The duration of this small gas flow rate is about 3 seconds or more, and then the gas flow rate becomes a gas flow rate corresponding to the number of surfaces of the burner, and the burner is ignited. In the stable period C, the output of the CF-type bath basin and the BF-type bath basin is controlled not by using a proportional valve but by switching the surface of the burner. Therefore, in the stable period C, the gas flow rate is constant, but the gas flow rate is switched stepwise by switching the burner surface. In the example of FIG. 5B, an example of a two-sided burner is shown. In addition, after the burner is turned off after the stable period C, the gas flow rate of only the pilot spark is consumed. Furthermore, in another CF-type bath basin or BF-type bath basin, direct ignition may be performed at the time of ignition A. In that case, the maximum gas flow rate Q2 rises directly at the time of ignition.
[0054]
A flow rate pattern as shown in FIG. 5 (2) occurs in a small water heater in addition to the CF type and BF type.
[0055]
An ignition pattern A-2 is shown in the partial flow rate pattern during ignition in FIG. In this igniting pattern A-2, the pilot gas flow rate Q1 (60 Kcal / h ≦ Q1 ≦ 400 Kcal / h) is maintained for the first few seconds (about 3 seconds or more), and then the maximum gas flow rate Qmax (or any arbitrary flow rate) The gas flow rate Q2) is increased. The gas flow rate Q1 of the igniting burner is much smaller than the gas flow rate Q1 during the slow ignition. FIG. 6 also shows a fixed flow rate ignition pattern A-3, which is a flow rate pattern that rises to the maximum gas flow rate Qmax (or an arbitrary gas flow rate Q2) in a short time (about 1 second). is there. Furthermore, a constant pattern C-2 is shown in the partial flow rate pattern in the stable period of FIG. Although there is burner surface switching control, the constant flow rate Q3 is maintained otherwise, so the partial flow pattern in the stable period corresponds to the constant pattern C-2.
[0056]
The (3) water heater (bathroom reheating) in FIG. 5 is a gas flow rate pattern when a reheating burner that heats and circulates hot water in a bathtub with a small burner burns. As with the water heater (hot water supply), a gas flow pattern for slow ignition is generated at the time of ignition A, and then maintained at the maximum gas flow rate Qmax of the additional cooking burner. Accordingly, in this case, the slow ignition pattern A-1 is obtained at the ignition time A, and the constant pattern C-2 is obtained in the stable period C without passing through the initial transition period. However, the maximum gas flow rate Qmax is considerably smaller than that in the case of (1) a water heater (hot water supply). In reheating operation, when the bathtub temperature reaches the set temperature, the operation is stopped and the gas flow rate is automatically lost.
[0057]
The fan heater of FIG. 5 (4) has a slow ignition pattern at the time of ignition A. After that, the gas flow rate is rapidly increased at the maximum input amount Qmax or higher, and the room temperature is increased. Thereafter, as the room temperature rises, the gas flow rate decreases stepwise by step-type proportional control and reaches a constant flow rate Q3. In the stable period C, step-type proportional control in which the input gas amount is determined with respect to the room temperature is usually performed, and the flow rate is increased or decreased by a constant gas flow rate with the constant flow rate Q3 as the center.
[0058]
Therefore, in the case of this fan heater, the ignition time A is the slow ignition pattern A-1, the initialization transition period B corresponds to the step decrease pattern B-4, and the stable period C corresponds to the step control pattern C-3. To do.
[0059]
Depending on the usage status of another fan heater, as shown in FIG. 5 (4), from the slow ignition pattern A-1 to the stable period pattern C-2, which is constant at Qmax without passing through the initial transition period. Sometimes it becomes. For example, when a fan heater is used in a room where the temperature is low. In this way, even when the maximum input amount Qmax continues for a long time after ignition, it is possible to detect the matching with the stable pattern C-2 and distinguish it from the water heater (bathroom cooking) by the flow rate range at that time. it can. Further, the maximum input amount Qmax varies depending on the capability of the fan heater, and the maximum input amount Qmax increases stepwise for 6-8 tatami mats, 8-14 tatami mats, and large rooms.
[0060]
The above-mentioned step control pattern C-3 is shown in the partial flow rate pattern in the stable period of FIG. In the step control pattern C-3, the gas flow rate is controlled up and down stepwise from a constant flow rate Q3 following a change in room temperature. Since a step type proportional valve is used, the change ΔQi of the gas flow rate becomes the step width ΔQ of the proportional valve (ΔQi = ± ΔQ), and since it is a stable period, it always decreases after the increase and follows the decrease. Always increases (ΔQi × ΔQi + 1 <0).
[0061]
The stove in FIG. 5 (5) is ignited at a gas flow rate Q2 obtained by adding the pilot gas flow rate to the maximum gas flow rate Qmax at the time of ignition A, and the gas flow rate is maintained for a certain time. Eventually, the gas flow rate ΔQ for the pilot burner decreases and the stable period C is reached. This pilot burner only burns for a certain period of time at the time of ignition, and is provided as a safety feature for turning off the combustion side burner without igniting and preventing gas from flowing out at the time of ignition. Therefore, in the stable period C, the pilot burner does not burn. In addition, in the stable period C, the gas flow rate is kept constant, and in some cases where the gas flow rate is controlled in two stages, the gas flow rate is kept constant in each stage.
[0062]
There is a case where a fixed flow rate ignition pattern is used as a gas flow rate pattern at the time of ignition of another stove. In this case, the pilot burner is ignited and then the pilot burner does not disappear. Therefore, there is no gas flow reduction ΔQ corresponding to the pilot burner, and only the maximum gas flow is obtained at the time of ignition.
[0063]
In the ignition pattern of FIG. 6, the above-described extinguishing safety ignition pattern A-4 and the fixed flow rate ignition pattern A-3 are shown. In the fixed flow ignition pattern A-3, the maximum gas flow rate Qmax (or any gas flow rate Q2) rises in a short time (within about 1 second) as described above, whereas in the extinguishing safety device flaming pattern A-4 The state is maintained for a few seconds (2 seconds ≤ t ≤ 5 seconds) after rising to a certain gas flow rate Q2, and then gradually decreases by the gas flow rate Qp (100 Kcal / h ≤ Qp ≤ 400 Kcal / h) for the ignition pilot. To do.
[0064]
In FIG. 5 (6), the table stove has a direct ignition flow rate pattern (fixed flow rate ignition pattern A-3) at the time of ignition A, and the gas flow rate greatly fluctuates in the subsequent initial transition period B, and eventually the stable period. C. However, even during the stable period, manual flow rate adjustment may be performed depending on cooking. In addition, there is another table stove that, at the time of ignition A, becomes a fire extinguishing pattern A-4 for a safety device.
[0065]
The partial flow rate pattern in the initial transition period of FIG. 7 shows a stove transition period pattern B-5. Since the input is manually adjusted, the maximum gas flow rate Qmax at the time of ignition (or an arbitrary gas flow rate Q2) rises and falls irregularly within a few seconds (0.5 sec ≦ t ≦ 3 sec), and then reaches a constant flow rate Q3. The constant flow rate Q3 is lower by ΔQ than the flow rate at the time of ignition. Therefore, ΔQ <0.
[0066]
As described above, when examining the gas flow patterns accompanying the combustion control of a plurality of gas appliances, at the time of ignition A, the slow ignition pattern A-1, the spark pattern A-2, the fixed flow ignition pattern A-3, the extinction It can be classified into four patterns, the A-4 for the safety device. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, four types of partial flow patterns are registered as partial flow patterns during ignition of the flow pattern table.
[0067]
The characteristic data example of each flow rate pattern is as shown in FIG. 6, and in the slow ignition pattern A-1, the time t of the slow ignition gas flow rate Q1 is 0.5 sec ≦ t ≦ 10 sec, and the slow ignition gas flow rate Q1 is Q1 = K (n / k) Qmax (k is the number of burner surfaces, 0.7 ≦ K ≦ 0.9). In the firing pattern A-2, the firing gas flow rate Q1 is 60 Kcal / h ≦ Q1 ≦ 400 Kcal / h), and the time t is 3 sec ≦ t. In the fixed flow rate ignition pattern A-3, the rising time t of the gas flow rate is t ≦ 1 sec. In the extinguishing safety device igniting pattern A-4, the rising gas flow rate time t is 2 sec ≦ t ≦ 5 sec, and the lowered gas flow rate Qp is 100 Kcal / h ≦ Qp ≦ 400 Kcal / h.
[0068]
Furthermore, in the initial transition period B, there are five types of partial flow patterns: hunting pattern B-1, monotonic decrease pattern B-2, monotone increase pattern B-3, step decrease pattern B-4, and stove transition period pattern B-5. Can be classified. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the above five types of partial flow patterns in the initial transition period of the flow pattern table are registered.
[0069]
An example of characteristic data of each flow rate pattern is as shown in FIG. 7. In the hunting pattern B-1, the absolute value of the upper and lower change amounts ΔQi decreases sequentially (| ΔQi |> | ΔQi + 1 |), The increase / decrease is repeated (ΔQi × ΔQi + 1 <0). In the simple decrease pattern B-2, the amount of change at a constant time t interval gradually decreases (ΔQi> ΔQi + 1), and the amount of change ΔQi is always negative (ΔQi <0). In the simple increase pattern B-3, the amount of change at a constant time t interval gradually decreases (ΔQi> ΔQi + 1), and the amount of change ΔQi is always positive (ΔQi> 0). In the step decrease pattern B-4, the change ΔQi of the gas flow rate is an integral multiple of the inherent step flow rate ΔQ (ΔQi = NΔQ), and the change amount ΔQi is always negative (ΔQi <0). The step flow rate ΔQ can be obtained from the gas flow rate change amount in the stable period C. In the stove transition period pattern B-5, the flow rate decreases by an arbitrary flow rate ΔQ (ΔQ <0) in a short time t (0.5 sec ≦ t ≦ 3 sec).
[0070]
And in the stable period C, it can classify | categorize into three types of partial flow patterns, the proportional control pattern C-1, the fixed pattern C-2, and the step control pattern C-3. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the above three types of partial flow patterns in the stable period are registered.
[0071]
An example of characteristic data of each flow rate pattern is as shown in FIG. In proportional control pattern C-1, the amount of change in gas flow rate (| Qi-Qi-1 |) is within a few percent (M = 0.03) of average flow rate Qave during a certain period of time (for example, X = 10 sec). And the difference between the maximum and minimum flow rates within a certain time (Qmax−Qmin) is about 100 Kcal / h (= L) or more. That is, in proportional control, the change in gas flow rate increases to some extent. In the constant pattern C-2, the amount of change in the gas flow rate is smaller than in the proportional control pattern, and the difference between the maximum and minimum flow rates (Qmax−Qmin) within a fixed time (eg, X = 10 sec) is within about 100 Kcal / h (= L). is there. In the step control pattern C-3, the change amount ΔQi of the gas flow rate is the step width ± ΔQ, and the increase and decrease are alternately repeated (ΔQi × ΔQi + 1 <0).
[0072]
FIG. 9 is a chart showing an example of a new instrument table in the present embodiment. The new gas appliance table 52 preferably includes a combination of partial flow patterns, a flow range corresponding to each partial flow pattern, and a time limit that can be used continuously for each gas appliance.
[0073]
For example, in this chart, the combination of the partial flow patterns of the water heater (hot water supply) is as follows: slow ignition pattern A-1 at ignition A, hunting pattern B-1 at initial transition period B, simple decrease pattern B-2, simple increase One of the patterns B-3, the stable period C is the proportional control pattern C-1. And the flow range in each pattern is shown.
[0074]
The flow rate range at the time of ignition of the water heater (hot water supply) indicates the range of the slow ignition gas flow rate Q1. Further, the flow range in the initial transition period is a range of gas flow rates that are actually detected in any of hunting, monotonous decrease, and monotonic increase. Further, the flow rate range in the stable period is also a range of gas flow rate to be detected. The gas flow range in this stable period varies depending on the above-mentioned application. Thus, the flow range set in the new instrument table 52 is a relatively wide range that each gas instrument can take.
[0075]
In addition, the combination of partial flow patterns of the BF bath, CF bath, and small water heater is either the ignition pattern A-2 or the fixed flow ignition pattern A-3 during ignition, or the initial transition period B The stable period C is a constant pattern C-2. The flow range at the time of ignition indicates a flow range in a fixed flow ignition pattern. In the case of the spark pattern, as shown in A-2 of FIG. 6, the flow range of the gas flow Q1 for the spark is included in the feature data, so it is not necessary to indicate it on the instrument table. In the case of fixed flow ignition, the flow range is the same during ignition and during the stable period.
[0076]
As shown in the figure, the combination of the partial flow patterns of the water heater (bathroom heater) is that the ignition time A is not the slow ignition pattern A-1, the initial transition period B, and the stable period C is the constant pattern C-2. . The flow range at the time of ignition is a range of the slow ignition gas flow rate.
[0077]
The combination of the partial flow rate patterns of the fan heater is a slow ignition pattern A-1 at the time of ignition A, a step decrease pattern B-4 at the initial transition period B, and a step control pattern C-3 at the stable period C. The flow range during ignition is the range of the slow ignition gas flow, and the flow ranges in the initial transition period and the stable period are the ranges of gas flow to be detected. As described above, the initial transition period may not exist depending on the usage status of the fan heater.
[0078]
Next, the combination of partial flow patterns of the stove is the direct ignition pattern A-3 or the extinguishing safety device ignition pattern A-4 at the time of ignition A, there is no initial transition period B, and the stable period C is a constant pattern C-2 It is. The flow range at the time of ignition is a range of the gas flow rate at the time of ignition.
[0079]
Furthermore, the combination of the partial flow patterns of the table stove is the direct ignition pattern A-3 or the extinguishing safety device igniting pattern A-4 during ignition, the initial transition period B is the stove transition pattern B-5, and the stable period C is a constant pattern C-2. The gas flow range at the time of ignition and the initial transition period are in the same range, and the flow range in the stable period is further widened.
[0080]
Thus, the combination of the partial flow rate patterns corresponding to each gas appliance is registered in the new appliance table. Therefore, the gas appliance can be determined from the combination of the partial flow patterns. However, some gas appliances may have the same combination of partial flow patterns. For example, a small water heater and a stove have the same combination as the fixed flow rate ignition pattern A-3 at the time of ignition A, the initial transition period, and the constant pattern C-2 at the stable period C. Even in this case, since the gas flow range of the small water heater is higher than that of the stove, both gas appliances can be distinguished by comparing the gas flow rates.
[0081]
FIG. 10 is a chart showing an example of a registered appliance table in the present embodiment. The registered appliance table 54 includes at least a combination of partial flow patterns, a characteristic flow rate in each partial flow pattern, and a time limit for each gas appliance used by each customer.
[0082]
The registered appliance table 54 is created, for example, by setting by a business operator (gas meter manager) who manages the gas meter. More specifically, the customer notifies the gas meter manager of the type (name, model number, etc.) of each gas appliance used. The notification may be oral notification by telephone or FAX, or may be notified by accessing a predetermined homepage via the Internet. Each time a gas appliance is added or changed, the customer notifies the gas meter manager. When the gas meter has a communication function with a remote center managed by the gas meter manager, the gas meter manager sends information to be registered in the registered instrument table 54 from the center (part on the gas instrument that has been notified by the customer). A combination of flow patterns, a characteristic flow rate in each partial flow pattern, a time limit, etc.) are transmitted via a communication line and registered in the gas meter registration device table 54. If the gas meter does not have a communication function, the person in charge of the gas meter manager may directly visit the customer's home that has received the notification and directly input information to be registered to the gas meter. The center has a device database that stores information on flow rate patterns for each gas device to be registered in the registered device table 54 and characteristic flow rates in each partial flow pattern.
[0083]
Thus, the gas meter does not need to store the new instrument table 52, and has the flow rate pattern table 50 and the registered instrument table 54 (or a table in which this is integrated), and is based on the registered instrument table 54. A gas appliance determination (normal determination mode) is executed. And when a gas appliance cannot be specified, a gas leak detection process is performed. When the gas appliance cannot be specified, a predetermined notification may be sent to the center via the communication line. The notification includes, for example, information indicating that a new device not registered in the registered device table 54 has been extracted. Thereby, for example, a call is made from the center to the customer's house to check whether or not a new device has been installed. When the device is installed, information to be registered in the registered device table 54 can be registered for the new device. The notification to the center may be performed together with the gas leakage detection process, and in this case, this notification is performed when there is no gas leakage. If it is determined that there is a gas leak, as will be described later, safety operations such as gas shutoff, alarm output, and center notification are performed.
[0084]
The registered instrument table 54 may be created by specifying an instrument in the new registration mode, as will be described in detail below. That is, the appliance registered in the registered appliance table 54 is an appliance specified by the new registration mode, and the characteristic flow rate in the partial flow pattern registered for each appliance is actually detected in the new registration mode. Is registered. That is, since the flow rate (or flow range) unique to the instrument is registered instead of the relatively wide flow rate range registered in the new instrument table 52, the instrument can be determined with higher accuracy. Note that the characteristic flow rate in each partial flow rate pattern for each appliance stored in the appliance database provided in the center of the gas meter manager is also a value substantially similar to the flow rate detected in this new registration mode. The gas meter manager can obtain these characteristic flow rates by, for example, prior experiments.
[0085]
In FIG. 10, for example, the combination of the partial flow patterns of the stove is a fire extinguishing pattern A-4 for the safety device at the time of ignition, no initial transition period B, and a stable period C of a constant pattern C-2. At this time, the flow rates characteristic of the extinguishing safety device igniting pattern A-4 are the flow rate Q2 at the time of ignition and the reduced flow rate (pilot flow rate) Qp from that, and two fixed flow rates are registered.
[0086]
When the registered flow rate is a fixed flow rate, it is determined whether or not each detected flow rate corresponding to each fixed flow rate substantially matches each fixed flow rate at the time of the normal determination for determining the device using the registered device table. The For example, if the detected flow rate is within ± 3% of the corresponding fixed flow rate, it is determined that the flow rate matches.
[0087]
Since the stove has no initial transition period, both the partial flow rate pattern and the flow rate are blank. The flow rate characteristic of the constant pattern C-2 in the stable period is the constant flow rate Q3. For example, when the stove is two-side switching combustion, the flow rate has two fixed flow rates.
[0088]
The combination of the partial flow patterns of the fan heaters is a slow ignition pattern A-1 at the time of ignition A, a step decrease pattern B-4 at the initial transition period B, and a step control pattern C-3 at the stable period C. At this time, the flow rate characteristic of the slow ignition pattern A-1 at the time of ignition A is the flow rate Q1 at the time of ignition, and this is registered as a fixed flow rate.
[0089]
The flow rate characteristic of the step control pattern C-3 in the stable period C is a flow rate for each detected step, and a plurality of flow rates for each step is a fixed flow rate, and at least one of the registered fixed flow rates. It should match with one. As the characteristic flow rate in the step decrease pattern B-4 in the initial transition period, the maximum step flow rate and the minimum step flow rate among the step flow rates in the stable period are registered as a flow rate range.
[0090]
If the registered flow rate is in the flow range, it is determined whether or not the detected flow rate is within the flow range at the normal determination for judging the device using the registered device table. Is determined.
[0091]
Furthermore, the combination of partial flow rate patterns of the water heater (hot water supply) is a slow ignition pattern A-1 at the time of ignition A, a hunting pattern B-1 at the initial transition period B, and a proportional control pattern C-1 at the stable period C. At this time, the flow rate characteristic of the slow ignition pattern A-1 at the time of ignition A is the flow rate Q1 at the time of ignition, similar to the fan heater, and is registered as a fixed flow rate.
[0092]
As the characteristic flow rate in the hunting pattern B-1 in the initial transition period, the maximum flow rate and the minimum flow rate among the flow rates detected in the initial transition period are registered as a flow range. As for the flow rate characteristic of the proportional control pattern C-1 in the stable period C, the maximum flow rate and the minimum flow rate among the flow rates detected in the stable period are registered as the flow range.
[0093]
As described above, in the registered instrument table 54, in addition to the combination of partial flow patterns of each instrument, as a characteristic flow rate in each partial flow pattern, the flow rate inherent to the instrument actually detected is a fixed flow rate or flow range. Since the appliance determination is performed based on the partial flow rate pattern and the flow rate specific to the appliance in each control step, the possibility of erroneous determination is extremely low, and the appliance can be determined with high accuracy.
[0094]
Furthermore, by registering the registered flow rate for each season, it is possible to make a more detailed determination, and it can be expected that the possibility of extracting a plurality of instruments is reduced. Specifically, the registered flow rate for each season can be obtained as follows. (1) The initial registration season is stored, and the registered flow rate is corrected in consideration of a predetermined coefficient for the current season. Alternatively, the registered flow rate corrected for each season is registered in the registered appliance table. (2) The registered flow rate of the appliance is detected and additionally registered at a predetermined time after the initial registration season has shifted to another season. (3) Apply both (1) and (2) above, and for the time being, while the registered flow rate of other seasons cannot actually be detected, use (1), and when other seasons come, The registered flow rate is overwritten by processing. In addition to the season (for example, the month or calendar), the outside temperature can also be a correction factor.
[0095]
11 and 12 are determination flowcharts in the gas appliance determination module 43 in the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 11 is a flowchart for the normal determination mode for determining a gas appliance based on the registered appliance table, and FIG. 12 refers to the new registration table 52 when the gas appliance cannot be extracted from the registered appliance table. It is a flowchart about the new registration mode which determines a gas appliance. This flowchart also includes the functions of the modules 44, 46, and 48 that constitute the gas appliance determination module 43 shown in FIG. Further, as a premise here, a case where a plurality of gas appliances are used simultaneously is excluded. The determination method is shown only when each gas appliance is used alone.
[0096]
In FIG. 11, when a gas flow rate is detected (S100), first, the gas leak detection module checks whether or not the flow rate is a large flow rate that is not used when a normal gas appliance is ignited (S101). If a large flow rate is detected, a gas leak detection process described later is executed. In the present embodiment, the determination as to whether the flow rate is large is, for example, more than 10,000 Kcal / h, and when the partial flow rate pattern during ignition is other than the water heater pattern A-1, It is regarded as a large flow rate associated with. Further, the check step S101 for determining whether the flow rate is large is continuously performed in the background thereafter. That is, the detection of the abnormal gas flow rate is continued for each control step.
[0097]
Further, along with the detection of the gas flow rate, the time (start time) at that time is recorded in the memory 42 as the use start time, and further, the gas flow rate signal S20 from the gas flow meter 20 is sequentially recorded in the memory 42 (S102). For example, instantaneous gas flow rates detected at intervals of 2 seconds or less are recorded in the memory 42. Thereby, the waveform of the gas flow rate with respect to time can be specified.
[0098]
The control step determination module 44 detects the end of combustion control at the time of ignition by monitoring the instantaneous gas flow rate detected at a constant sampling interval. Specifically, it can be determined that the ignition time has ended when a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the gas flow rate was detected. Alternatively, as another method, it may be determined that the ignition time has ended when the gas flow rate reaches a peak value after ignition.
[0099]
When the end of combustion control at the time of ignition is detected, feature data is generated from the detected gas flow rate waveform at the time of ignition. Then, a partial flow rate pattern that matches the feature data is extracted from the flow rate pattern table 50 illustrated in FIG. 6 (S104).
[0100]
Various methods can be considered for the matching process of whether or not the partial flow rate pattern matches. As an example, there is a method of extracting feature data of a detected gas flow rate waveform and checking whether or not it matches with registered feature data of a partial flow rate pattern. In the example shown in FIG. 6, in the slow ignition pattern A-1, the gas flow Q1 for slow ignition is first detected, and this state continues for time t. Thereafter, the gas flow rate changes to a certain gas flow rate Q2 or Qmax. Therefore, as described above, the slow ignition gas flow rate Q1 is in the range of 0.7 to 0.9 of the maximum gas flow rate Qmax, and the characteristic data of the slow ignition pattern A-1 is that the time t is in the range of 0.5 to 10 seconds. Can do. Therefore, from the detected gas flow rate waveform, the slow ignition gas flow rate Q1 and the time t are obtained as feature data, and by checking whether the value falls within the feature data range of the flow rate pattern table, A matching process is performed.
[0101]
In the igniting pattern A-2, the initial igniting gas flow rate Q1 has a very small absolute value. For example, the igniting gas flow rate Q1 is in the range of 60 to 400 Kcal / h, and is maintained at the igniting gas flow rate Q1. The characteristic data is that the time t is in the range of 3.0 seconds or more. Accordingly, the initial flow rate Q1 and the time t during which the flow rate is maintained are obtained as feature data from the detected gas flow rate waveform, and it is checked whether the value falls within the feature data range of the flow rate pattern table. Thus, the matching process is performed.
[0102]
In the direct ignition pattern A-3, the time t rising to the peak flow rate Q2 is as short as 1.0 second or less. Further, in the extinguishing safety device firing pattern A-4, the time slightly after the time t after rising to the peak flow rate Q2. There is a decrease in the flow rate Qp, the time t is in the range of 2.0 to 5.0 seconds, and the decrease flow rate Qp is 100 to 400 Kcal / h. Therefore, the feature data t and Qp are obtained from the detected gas flow rate waveform, and matching is performed depending on whether the feature data corresponds to the feature data of the flow rate pattern table.
[0103]
Returning to FIG. 11, when the partial flow rate pattern is extracted, an appliance having the partial flow rate pattern and the detected flow rate is searched from the registered appliance table (S106). If no matching appliance is extracted, the process proceeds to a new registration mode to be described later. Or you may transfer to the gas leak detection process mentioned later.
[0104]
If a matching device is extracted, the number of matching devices is determined (S108), and if it is one, the device currently in use is identified as the extracted device. When there are a plurality of pieces, appliance determination based on the flow rate pattern in the next control step is further performed.
[0105]
After the ignition time, it is detected whether the change in the detected flow rate has become constant, that is, whether the gas flow rate has become stable (S110). When stable is detected, it is determined that the stable period has been reached, and the period from the ignition time flow rate to the stable period is determined as the initial transition period.
[0106]
Therefore, the characteristic data of the detected partial flow rate pattern in the initial transition period is obtained, and compared with the partial flow pattern classified in the initial transition period in the flow rate pattern table 50, and the partial flow pattern is extracted (S112). The comparison method is performed based on whether or not the feature data corresponds to the case of ignition.
[0107]
Accordingly, the characteristic data of the partial flow rate pattern in the initial transition period will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In the case of the hunting pattern B-1, the flow rate difference ΔQi between the peak flow rates is obtained, and the absolute value gradually decreases. In addition, the characteristic data is that the sign of the flow rate difference ΔQi changes alternately. Therefore, feature data can be generated by detecting each peak flow rate value from the detected series of gas flow rate values and obtaining the flow rate difference ΔQi, ΔQi + 1.
[0108]
In the case of the simple decrease pattern B-2, when the change flow rate ΔQi of the detected gas flow rate at a predetermined time t is obtained, the absolute value of the change flow rate ΔQi gradually decreases, and the sign of the change flow rate ΔQi is all negative. become. Similarly, in the case of the simple increase pattern B-3, the absolute value of the change flow rate ΔQi gradually decreases, and the sign thereof becomes all positive. In the case of the step decrease pattern B-4, the flow rate change ΔQi is an integral multiple of a certain unit flow rate ΔQ, and the sign of the flow rate change ΔQi is all negative. In the stove transition pattern B-5, a flow rate change ΔQ occurs within time t, the time is in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 seconds, and the sign of the change ΔQ is negative.
[0109]
For the partial flow rate pattern in the initial transition period, the feature data is calculated from the detected gas flow rate so that it can be compared with the above feature data, and which pattern is matched is determined.
[0110]
Returning to FIG. 11 again, when the partial flow pattern in the initial transition period is extracted, the appliance having the partial flow pattern and the detected flow rate is searched from the registered appliance table in the same manner as at the time of ignition (S114). If no matching appliance is extracted, the process proceeds to a new registration mode to be described later. Or it transfers to the gas leak detection process mentioned later.
[0111]
If a matching instrument is extracted, the number of matching instruments is determined (S116), and if it is one, the instrument currently in use is identified as the extracted instrument. In the case where there are a plurality of pieces, appliance determination based on the flow rate pattern in the next control step (ie, the stable period) is further performed.
[0112]
Next, characteristic data of the partial flow pattern in the stable period is obtained, and the partial flow pattern in the stable period is extracted from the flow pattern table 50 (S118). As shown in the partial flow pattern of the stable period in FIG. 8, in the case of the proportional control pattern C-1, the average value Qave, the maximum value Qmax, and the minimum value Qmin are updated from a plurality of detected flow rates Qi for a certain time X seconds. However, when the adjacent detected flow rate difference (| Qi−Qi-1 |) is within a few percent of the average value Qave (eg 3%), the flow rate has a difference between the maximum and minimum values (L = 100 Kcal / h) or more. This is characteristic data.
[0113]
In the case of the constant pattern C-2, the characteristic data is that the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value obtained in the same manner is a flow rate (L = 100 Kcal / h) or less. Further, in the case of the step control pattern C-3, the step width ΔQi has a constant step width, and its sign changes alternately.
[0114]
When the partial flow rate pattern in the stable period is extracted in this way, the appliance having the partial flow pattern and the detected flow rate is searched from the registered appliance table as in the ignition (S120). If no matching appliance is extracted, the process proceeds to a new registration mode to be described later. Or you may transfer to the gas leak detection process mentioned later.
[0115]
If a matching instrument is extracted, the instrument currently in use is identified as the extracted instrument. Since there are only one combination of the partial flow patterns in each control step, that is, the initial transition period and the stable period, and the characteristic flow rates corresponding to the respective flow patterns, the matching appliances are extracted in step S120. The case is specific to one instrument.
[0116]
When the appliance in use is specified, the use start time is written in the start time recording area of the registered appliance table corresponding to the appliance, and the start time stored in step S102 is written, and operation monitoring suitable for the gas appliance is performed. The mode is changed (S128). As a specific example, it is monitored whether or not the usage time exceeds a time limit (safety continuous usage time) set for each gas appliance. If exceeded, an alarm is output or the gas shutoff valve is shut off. Even when the gas flow rate changes during monitoring, monitoring of the time limit is continued. In the conventional gas meter, when the gas flow rate is changed, it is determined that the continuous use is finished. However, in the present embodiment, the instrument can be specified with high accuracy, and the flow rate pattern of the instrument is grasped. Therefore, even if the gas flow rate fluctuates as in the proportional control pattern, for example. It can be determined that it is used continuously.
[0117]
As described above, in this embodiment, a registered device table in which a combination of partial flow patterns for devices used at each customer's home and a flow rate specific to the device is registered is created, and device determination is performed using the registered device table. Is called. Therefore, more accurate instrument determination than when performing instrument determination using a combination of flow patterns for a vast number of gas instruments covering all types and a new instrument table with a relatively wide flow range. Is possible.
[0118]
Next, the new registration mode in FIG. 12 will be described. In the normal determination mode of FIG. 11, the appliance registered in the registered appliance table is identified from one of the partial flow patterns of the extracted ignition time (A), initial transition period (B), and stable period (C). If not, the new registration mode is executed.
[0119]
In FIG. 11, the partial flow rate patterns of the respective control steps that are not acquired are extracted by necessary processing according to the stage of transition to the new registration mode (S200, S202, S204).
[0120]
When partial flow patterns for ignition, initial transition period, and stable period are acquired, gas appliances that match the combination of the partial flow patterns are extracted from the new instrument table 52 (S206). Since almost all instruments currently used in the world are registered in the new instrument table 52, a search for the new instrument table 52 may extract a gas instrument that matches a combination of partial flow patterns. Is extremely expensive. If a matching instrument is not extracted, the process proceeds to a gas leak detection process shown in FIG.
[0121]
In step S206, the appliance extracted from the new appliance table stores each partial flow pattern and the characteristic flow rate (flow rate registered in the registered appliance table) in each partial flow pattern in a predetermined temporary storage memory ( S208).
[0122]
In this way, once an instrument is specified from the new instrument table, the instrument is temporarily stored in the temporary storage memory, and the specified number of times for the instrument is incremented by +1 (S210). Each time a device is specified from the new device table 52, the specific number of times of the same device is determined (S212). When the specific number reaches a predetermined number (N is, for example, about 5 to 10), the device is registered in the registered device table 54 (S214). The registered instrument table 54 includes an instrument name, a partial flow pattern for each control step, a characteristic flow rate (fixed flow rate or flow range) in each partial flow pattern, a time limit, and the registered flow rate is a new instrument table. It is not the value of the flow rate range registered in 52 but the characteristic flow rate in each partial flow rate pattern among the actually detected flow rates (preferably, the average value of each characteristic flow rate in a plurality of times).
[0123]
In the new instrument table 52, a great number of instruments are registered as compared with the registered instrument table. Therefore, the identification of a single instrument may determine an incorrect instrument. More specifically, there is a possibility of misrecognition of partial flow patterns due to sampling timing deviations of the flow meter, and consequently determination of the wrong instrument, so it is registered in the registered instrument table 54 for the first time by identifying the instrument multiple times. It was decided to do.
[0124]
When the specified appliance is registered in the registered appliance table, the operation monitoring mode based on the time limit registered for each gas appliance is executed (S216).
[0125]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the operation monitoring mode. When the gas appliance is specified from the registered appliance table 54 (or when the gas appliance is registered in the registered appliance table), the operation monitoring module 56 sets the time limit T and the operation start time set for the appliance. Acquired (S300), while the gas flow rate Q is detected (S302), it is determined whether the time limit T has elapsed since the start time (S304). (S306). If the gas flow rate is no longer detected before the time limit T elapses, the use of the instrument is stopped and the monitoring operation is terminated.
[0126]
In step S212 in FIG. 12, if the specified number of times for the device is less than the predetermined number, the device cannot be specified completely. Therefore, the operation monitoring based on the safe continuous use time depending on the flow rate is performed as in the past. (S218).
[0127]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the gas leak detection process. The gas leak detection process is performed when the appliance cannot be specified in the new registration mode (step S206 in FIG. 12). However, in the gas meter without the new registration mode (the gas meter having no new appliance table), in the normal determination mode, Performed when a device cannot be identified. In the normal determination mode, when the appliance cannot be specified, the mode is shifted to the new registration mode in FIG.
[0128]
The gas leak detection module 53 outputs the proportional valve control signal S53, changes the valve opening degree of the proportional valve, and varies the gas supply pressure (S400). Then, it is checked whether or not the output of the gas flow meter at that time varies (S402). Even if the gas supply pressure is not actively changed by using the proportional valve, the gas supply pressure constantly changes depending on the gas use situation of the gas user. When a change is detected, it may be checked whether or not the output of the gas flow meter 20 varies.
[0129]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the gas supply pressure and the gas flow rate. In each of the four graphs, time is plotted on the horizontal axis, and gas supply pressure and gas flow are plotted on the vertical axis. (1) and (2) in the figure are relationships when there is no gas governor (pressure regulator). (3) and (4) in the figure show the relationship when the gas governor exists.
[0130]
In FIG. 15 (1), when the gas supply pressure decreases, the gas governor does not exist, so the gas flow rate decreases in response thereto. Also in FIG. 15 (2), when the gas supply pressure increases, the gas governor does not exist, so the gas flow rate increases in response thereto.
[0131]
In FIG. 15 (3), when the gas supply pressure decreases, the gas flow rate does not change because the gas governor exists. In FIG. 15 (4), when the gas supply pressure increases, the gas governor exists and the gas flow rate does not change. There is no change in the flow rate. Actually, a slight fluctuation occurs in the gas flow rate due to a delay in the response characteristic of the gas governor, and eventually the original flow rate is restored.
[0132]
When the gas supply pressure is actively changed, the gas meter control unit 24 can detect whether the gas flow rate changes correspondingly by monitoring the detection flow rate from the gas flow rate detection means 20. In addition, even when a change in the gas supply pressure that is not active but is caused by some factor is detected by the detected pressure from the gas pressure gauge 34, it is possible to monitor whether the gas flow rate changes correspondingly. In the former case, the gas supply pressure is mainly reduced by narrowing the valve opening of the proportional valve or the gas cutoff valve.
[0133]
The gas leak detection module 53 determines that a gas leak has occurred from other than the gas appliance when a change in the gas flow rate is detected in response to a change in the gas supply pressure, and outputs a gas cutoff or gas leak alarm. (S406). Furthermore, it is preferable to notify the center of gas leakage.
[0134]
If the gas leak detection module 53 does not detect a change in the gas flow rate in response to a change in the gas supply pressure, some error occurs in the gas appliance determination, a flow rate pattern table, a registered instrument table 54, or a new instrument table 52. Gas appliances that are not registered with may be used. Therefore, in this case, it is monitored whether or not the safe continuous use time depending on the flow rate has been exceeded as in the prior art (S404). Further, in this case, preferably, the center is notified of the extraction of a new gas appliance (S405).
[0135]
It is expected that a new gas appliance that is not registered in the flow rate pattern table or the new appliance table is used, and the identification of the gas appliance cannot be repeated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that a new partial flow rate pattern or gas appliance can be added to the flow rate pattern table or appliance table in the gas meter. The addition is possible, for example, by transmitting the data from a remote center using a communication line and recording it in each table in the gas meter control unit.
[0136]
FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gas appliance determination apparatus according to another embodiment. 2 shows the configuration of a gas meter provided with a gas meter control unit having a gas appliance determination function. However, the gas appliance determination apparatus 100 of FIG. 16 does not have a gas meter function for integrating gas flow rates, and has a gas appliance determination function. Based on the gas flow rate detected from the gas flow rate detection means 20, the gas appliance is determined by the same method as described above. And the gas cutoff valve 22 is interrupted | blocked as needed. The gas appliance determination control unit 124 is realized by a microcomputer, for example. The other configuration of FIG. 16 is the same as that of the gas meter of FIG. 2, and is given the same reference number.
[0137]
FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of the gas appliance determination control unit 124 built in the gas appliance determination apparatus of FIG. Since the gas appliance determination apparatus 100 omits the function of integrating and displaying the gas flow rate, the gas flow rate integration module 40 is also omitted from the configuration of FIG. 4 in the gas appliance determination control unit 124. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.
[0138]
The gas appliance determination apparatus shown in FIG. 16 is attached to the gas supply line separately from the gas meter, and can determine the gas appliance in use. And the required driving | operation monitoring etc. can be performed with respect to the determined gas appliance.
[0139]
Note that the gas meter control unit of the gas meter of FIG. 2 and the gas appliance determination control unit of FIG. 16 alone constitute the gas appliance determination device of the present invention by being supplied with the detected gas flow rate from the gas flow rate detection means.
[0140]
The gas flow rate pattern and the partial flow rate pattern of the gas appliance described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In the above embodiment, the control step is divided into the ignition time, the initial transition period, and the stable period, but it can be divided into other divisions. Furthermore, the feature data used as an index for matching the detected flow rate pattern with the partial flow rate pattern of the flow rate pattern table is an example, and other feature data may be used. Furthermore, other matching techniques may be used. For example, the gas flow rate waveform itself may be matched by using a pattern matching technique (for example, a dynamic programming method in which matching is performed by moving the time axis) used for voice recognition or the like.
[0141]
In the above embodiment, a series of gas flow patterns generated in accordance with combustion control are divided into partial flow patterns for each control step, and the flow patterns are matched for each control step. Accordingly, since the partial flow rate pattern matching is more simplified, detection is facilitated, and detection accuracy and detection probability can be increased. And since the gas appliance is determined from the combination of the partial flow rate patterns that coincide in a plurality of control steps, the detection becomes easy.
[0142]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the gas appliance in use can be easily determined from the detected change in the gas flow rate. Therefore, optimal operation monitoring can be performed for the determined gas appliance.
[0143]
Since a registered appliance table for gas appliances connected to the gas meter for each customer is created and gas appliance determination is performed based on the registered appliance table, highly accurate determination is possible.
[0144]
Furthermore, even if the appliance is not specified, the gas leak detection process operates, so that a high security level can be secured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a set value of safe continuous use time (time limit) used for blocking when a conventional safe continuous use time is exceeded.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gas meter in the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the gas meter according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a gas meter control unit in the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing examples of gas flow patterns in a plurality of gas appliances.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a partial flow rate pattern during ignition of the flow rate pattern table.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a partial flow rate pattern during an initial transition of the flow rate pattern table.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a partial flow rate pattern in a stable period of the flow rate pattern table.
FIG. 9 is a chart showing an example of a new instrument table in the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a chart showing an example of a registered instrument table in the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a determination flowchart (normal determination mode) in the gas appliance determination module according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a determination flowchart (new registration mode) in the gas appliance determination module in the present embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an operation monitoring mode.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a gas leak detection process.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a relationship between a gas supply pressure and a gas flow rate.
FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gas appliance determination device according to another embodiment.
17 is a configuration diagram of a gas appliance determination control unit 124 built in the gas appliance determination apparatus of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Gas meter
18 Gas appliance
20 Gas flow meter
43 Gas appliance determination module (registered appliance determination means)
50 Flow pattern table
52 New instrument table
54 Registered equipment table
53 Gas leak detection module
56 Operation monitoring module

Claims (17)

In the gas appliance determination apparatus for determining the gas appliance connected to the gas supply line,
For multiple types of gas appliances, a partial flow pattern obtained by dividing a series of gas flow patterns generated in accordance with combustion control, a flow pattern table classified for each control step, and
A registered appliance table registered for each customer and having the partial flow pattern and gas flow rate for each control step corresponding to the gas appliance;
A partial flow pattern that matches a gas flow rate pattern detected in the gas supply line is extracted from the flow rate pattern table, and a gas appliance that matches the extracted partial flow rate pattern combination and the gas flow rate of each control step, have a registration instrument determination means for extracting from the registration instrument table,
The flow pattern table and the registration plurality of control in the instrument table step includes the ignition, then the initial transition period, further followed by the gas appliance determination unit, which comprises at least closed and stable period. In the gas appliance determination apparatus for determining the gas appliance connected to the gas supply line,
For gas appliances registered and used for each customer, a registered appliance table having a partial flow rate pattern and a gas flow rate obtained by dividing a series of gas flow rate patterns generated with combustion control for each control step;
A gas appliance that extracts a partial flow rate pattern that matches the gas flow rate pattern detected in the gas supply line from the registered appliance table, and further matches the combination of the extracted partial flow rate patterns and the gas flow rate of each control step. and have a registration instrument determination means for extracting from the registered instrument table,
The registration plurality of control in the instrument table step includes the ignition, then the initial transition period, further followed by the gas appliance determination unit, which comprises at least closed and stable period. In claim 2,
The gas appliance determination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registered appliance table includes a flow rate pattern table in which the partial flow rate patterns are classified for each control step. In claim 1 or 2 ,
The gas appliance determination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registered appliance determination means uses a gas flow rate pattern detected during a predetermined time since ignition as a gas flow rate pattern in the control step at the time of ignition. In claim 1 or 2 ,
The registered appliance determination means uses a gas flow rate pattern detected until the detected gas flow rate is stabilized after the ignition is finished as a gas flow rate pattern in the control step of the initial transition period. Gas appliance determination device. In claim 1 or 2 ,
The gas appliance determination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registered appliance determination means uses a gas flow rate pattern detected when the detected gas flow rate is stabilized as a gas flow rate pattern in the control step in the stable period. In claim 1 or 2 ,
Furthermore, a gas appliance determination device comprising gas leak detection means for detecting a gas leak based on the presence or absence of a change in gas flow rate corresponding to a change in gas supply pressure. In claim 7 ,
When the registered appliance determination means detects an abnormal value of the detected gas flow rate, or a gas appliance that matches the partial flow rate pattern detected in any of the control steps of combustion control and the gas flow rate of the control step, The gas appliance determination apparatus, wherein the gas leak detection means performs gas leak detection when extraction from the registered appliance table is impossible. In claim 7 ,
The gas appliance determination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas leak detection means causes the gas pressure fluctuation means in the gas supply line to fluctuate the supply gas pressure, and monitors a corresponding change in gas flow rate. In claim 7 ,
When the gas leak detection means detects a change in gas pressure in the gas supply line, the gas leak detection means monitors a change in gas flow corresponding thereto. In claim 7 ,
When the gas leak detection means detects a change in the gas flow rate in response to a change in supply gas pressure, the gas leaking means performs at least one of gas shutoff, alarm output, or communication with the center. Instrument determination device. In claim 7 ,
A gas appliance determination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the gas leak detection means does not detect a change in the gas flow rate in response to a change in supply gas pressure, the center notifies the center of the extraction of a new appliance. In any one of Claims 1 to 12 ,
Further, the gas appliance determined by the registered appliance determination means has an operation monitoring means for performing a safety operation including a gas cutoff or an alarm output when a gas flow rate is detected exceeding a predetermined time limit. Gas appliance determination device. In claim 13 ,
The said time limit is set for every gas appliance, The gas appliance determination apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In claim 13 or 14 ,
The said operation monitoring means continues monitoring of the said time limit, even if a fluctuation | variation arises in the detected gas flow rate, The gas appliance determination apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 15 ,
Furthermore, it has a gas flow rate detection means installed in the said gas supply line, The said gas flow determination value is supplied from the said gas flow rate detection means, The gas appliance determination apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The gas appliance determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 , a gas flow rate detection unit installed in the gas supply line, and a gas flow rate integration unit that integrates the gas flow rate detected by the gas flow rate detection unit And a gas meter.

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