JP5299039B2 - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suitably register a flow rate of an appliance and to make suitable a function of limiting use time. <P>SOLUTION: This gas shutoff device includes: a flow rate detecting means 10 which meters the flow rate; an average flow rate computing means 12 which determines an average flow rate from an instantaneous flow rate determined by computation from a metered value by a flow rate computing means 11; a flow rate change determining means 13 which determines whether the flow rate changes, from the determined average flow rate; a flow rate registering means 14 which performs flow rate registration of the flow rate change when an increase change is determined to be present by the flow rate change judging means 13, and performs decrease correction of the registered flow rate being approximate to the flow rate change when a decrease change is determined to be present; a registered flow rate totaling means 15 which calculates the total value of the registered flow rate; and a flow rate difference computing means 16 which computes a flow rate difference from a registered total flow rate and the average flow rate in the case when the registered flow rate total value and the average flow rate are judged to be different by the flow rate change judging means 13, and which makes a decrease flow rate registering means 14b perform the decrease correction of the registered flow rate and perform this correction until the flow rate difference is eliminated. Gas supply is shut off by a shutoff means 19 when an abnormality judging means 17 determines that abnormality exists, from the registered flow rate and a monitoring determination value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device, and more particularly to a gas shut-off device that prevents erroneous shut-off due to a use time limiting function even when the use flow rate is changed by flow control of the instrument itself.

  Conventionally, as this type of gas shut-off device, the flow rate measuring means that outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the amount of gas passing through, and the increase / decrease of the individual appliances in use when the flow rate signal increases / decreases are estimated. Individual instrument estimation means for outputting the individual calculation flow rate and the used time, individual flow registration means for registering the flow rate of the individual instrument to be used in advance and outputting the registered individual flow rate and usage time, and individual flow memory for storing the registered individual flow rate And an error that outputs an individual abnormality signal when the estimated individual calculation flow rate of the increased / decreased appliance is not included in the registered individual flow rate of the individual flow rate storage means and the continued use time of the increased / decreased appliance continues for the first predetermined time or more A flow rate determination unit, a notification unit that receives the individual abnormality signal and gives a warning notification of an abnormality in the gas flow rate, or a blocking unit that blocks the gas passage, and an estimated individual performance of the individual instrument estimation unit When the flow rate is not included in the registered individual flow rate of the individual flow rate storage means and the time used by the device of the individual device estimation means is longer than the second predetermined time and shorter than the first predetermined time, the estimated individual flow estimation means There has been disclosed a gas shut-off device provided with a constant individual flow rate registration means for registering a calculated flow rate in an individual flow rate storage means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The configuration of the gas shut-off device disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 4. Reference numeral 101 denotes a flow rate measuring unit, which is a flow rate sensor attached to a gas meter. Reference numeral 102 denotes an individual appliance estimation means that calculates the flow rate signal of the flow rate sensor 1 as an average flow rate for a fixed measurement period (30 seconds), estimates the increase or decrease of the individual flow rate in use based on the increase or decrease of this average flow rate, The estimated individual calculation flow rate Q and the time used are output. When the average flow rate increases, the individual device estimation means 102 determines that the increased amount of gas device has been used, and when the average flow rate decreases, determines that the decreased amount of gas device has been stopped, Estimate individual equipment. Reference numeral 103 denotes an individual flow rate registration means, which is a setter for inputting in advance the flow rate (Qi) of an individual appliance used in the home. Reference numeral 104 denotes individual flow rate storage means for sequentially storing the flow rate (Qi) of the individual appliance of the individual flow rate registration means 103 and the flow rate of the individual flow rate registration means 107 as Q1, Q2, Q3,. 105 is an abnormal flow rate determination unit, and the estimated individual flow rate Q output from the individual appliance estimation unit 102 is not included in {Q1, Q2, Q3,..., Qn} of the individual flow rate storage unit 104, and the estimated individual flow rate Q Continues for the first predetermined time (10 minutes) or more, the individual abnormality signal E is output. Reference numeral 106 denotes a notification means or a cutoff means, which is provided with an LCD or LED for receiving a warning in response to the individual abnormality signal E, or a cutoff valve for blocking the gas passage. 107 is an always individual flow rate registering means, and when the estimated individual flow rate Q output from the individual flow rate estimating means 102 is not less than the second predetermined time (3 minutes) and within the first predetermined time (10 minutes), the estimated individual flow rate Q is output to the individual flow rate storage means 104.

  Next, the operation of the configuration of the conventional example will be described. Based on the flow rate signal of the flow rate measuring means 101, the average flow rate is calculated. A change flow rate between this average flow rate and the previous average flow rate is obtained to determine whether the change is an increase or a decrease, and an estimated individual calculation flow rate Q is obtained by each process. It is determined whether this estimated individual calculation flow rate Q newly appearing as a result of the increase / decrease process is included in the individual flow rate storage means 104 and whether it has been used for the first predetermined time (10 minutes). If it is not included and is used for 10 minutes or more, the notification means or blocking means 106 is operated. If it is not included or is not used for 10 minutes or more, it is judged whether it is an unregistered flow rate, 3 minutes or more, or 10 minutes or less. The means 107 performs registration processing in the individual flow rate storage means 104.

  If there is an increase in the average flow rate of Qt (for example, Q2 + Q3 as an example) due to simultaneous use of a plurality of devices, and the usage time is 7 minutes, for example, the average flow rate decreases after 7 minutes, the individual device estimation means 102 The estimated individual flow rate Qt is output. The estimated individual flow rate Qt is registered in the individual flow rate storage unit 104 by the individual flow rate registration unit 107 at all times because the usage time is 3 minutes or more and 10 minutes or less. Thereafter, since it is registered in the individual flow rate storage means 104, even if this flow rate appears for 10 minutes or more, it is not blocked. That is, it is possible to reduce erroneous interruption due to gas appliances that are often started up simultaneously. Further, when there is a new individual flow rate Qk (3 minutes or more and 10 minutes or less) due to a replacement device or the like, the estimated individual flow rate Qk is output from the individual device estimation means 102. The estimated individual flow rate Qk is registered in the individual flow rate storage unit 104 by the individual flow rate registration unit 107 at all times because the usage time is 3 minutes or more and 10 minutes or less.

  Thereafter, since it is registered in the individual flow rate storage means 104, even if this flow rate appears for 10 minutes or more, it is not blocked. Individual appliances used in each home can be stored in advance to prevent accidents due to gas leaks due to flow rates other than the individual appliances, and prevent accidental interruption due to simultaneous startup of appliances or replacement of appliances.

JP 7-44239 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the function of preventing a gas passage when a flow rate other than that registered in the individual flow rate storage means is newly detected or by erroneously registering as a registered individual flow rate is prevented. However, when the individual device estimation means estimates the individual device, the device registered as the registered individual flow rate stops using the flow rate gradually changing within the normal range due to the flow control of the device itself. If this happens, the value will be different from the individual flow rate at the time of registration, and there may be cases where the registered individual flow rate will be deleted by mistake when deleting the registered individual flow rate. If one remains, the time limit for continuous use of the instrument will be shortened, and the gas shut-off valve will operate in a shorter time than expected to stop the gas supply. On the other hand, if the one with the larger registered individual flow rate is deleted and the smaller one remains, the continuous use time limit will be extended. It will have a problem in terms.

  For example, when using a shower, the water heater may control the gas flow rate according to the temperature deviation in order to keep the set hot water temperature, and the combustion amount may be varied, and the fan heater etc. may have a gas flow rate to keep it at a constant room temperature. The amount of combustion may be varied by controlling In such a case, the estimated individual calculation flow rate obtained by the individual device estimation unit at the start of the use of the device and registered in the individual flow rate registration unit gradually decreases the gas flow rate by the combustion amount control corresponding to the load fluctuation, and the initial estimation is performed over time. There may be a difference from the individual calculation flow rate. Normally, when the other instrument stops using or a large flow rate change occurs while using multiple devices, the estimated individual calculation flow rate of the individual flow rate registration means is re-registered based on the change amount. If the estimated individual calculation flow rate is changed gradually, the re-registration process of the estimated individual calculation flow rate is not executed. In some cases, the actual flow rate that has been reduced in step 1 and the total value of the registered flow rate may be different. In such a case, the total value of the registered flow rate will be monitored in a state larger than the actual flow rate. The continuous use time limit is shifted to a short time, leading to erroneous interruption. In other words, there is a problem that erroneous interruption cannot be prevented because monitoring different from the actual use flow rate is performed.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem. When detecting the stop of use of the instrument, the registered individual flow rate after deleting the predetermined registered individual flow rate is compared with the average flow rate value obtained by the flow rate calculation means, and a difference of a predetermined value or more is obtained. By correcting the registered individual flow rate based on the difference data, the registered individual flow rate can be brought close to the actual used flow rate even in the usage mode in which the gas flow rate gradually changes with a small change rate, The present invention provides a highly safe gas shut-off device without erroneous shut-off.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a gas shut-off device according to the present invention is a gas shut-off device that monitors the use status of a plurality of gas appliances and shuts off gas supply when an abnormality occurs, and has a flow rate at a predetermined cycle. A flow rate detecting means for measuring the flow rate, a flow rate calculating means for calculating an instantaneous flow rate value from the measured value of the flow rate detecting means, an average flow rate calculating means for calculating an average flow rate from the instantaneous flow rate obtained by the flow rate calculating means, and the average flow rate The flow rate change determining means for determining the presence or absence of a flow rate change from the average flow rate obtained by the calculating means, and the flow rate change detected when the flow rate change detected by the flow rate change determining means is registered when the flow rate increases, and close to the flow rate change amount when decreasing. and flow registration means for reducing correcting registration flow, and registration total flow rate means for calculating a total value of registered flow rate registered by the flow registration unit, and the average flow rate and the total value of the registered flow rate The flow rate difference calculation means to obtain the flow rate difference, and the newly registered flow rate when the flow rate difference is determined to be positive and the flow rate difference obtained by subtracting the total registered flow rate from the average flow rate is positive. A flow rate difference adding means for adding the obtained flow rate difference to the maximum registered flow rate other than the above, a monitor value storage means for storing a judgment value for monitoring the use state of the instrument, a registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means and the monitor value storage An abnormality determining means for determining presence / absence of an abnormality from the determination value of the means, and a blocking means for cutting off the gas supply when the abnormality determination is established by the abnormality determining means.

According to the above invention, when a plurality of devices are used and the device flow rate is registered, after a slight flow rate change that is not determined as a flow rate change by the flow rate change determination means by the flow rate control of the device continues for a long time, It is determined that the flow rate has changed for the first time when the use is started, and the flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration means. If there is a flow rate difference between the total registered flow rate and the average flow rate after the flow rate registration, the flow rate change occurred before registration. The flow rate difference between the registered flow rate total value and the average flow rate is obtained, and the total flow rate of the appliances to be monitored and the total flow rate registration value to be monitored are equalized by adding and correcting from the closest registered flow rate among the registered flow rates. In other words, it is possible to register the flow rate of all the used tools and monitor them at the corresponding usage time, and mistakenly re-register the flow rate that has changed slightly, and monitor the flow rate for the usage time and use it early. It is possible to prevent the gas operator from increasing the number of unnecessary dispatches, or stopping the use in a short period of time, although it can be used for a long time like a heating appliance, and reducing usability. A highly reliable gas shut-off device can be realized.

  In the gas shutoff device of the present invention, when a plurality of appliances are used and a plurality of appliance flow rates are registered, a minute flow rate decrease that is not determined by the flow rate change determining means by the appliance control continues or a slight flow rate increase continues. If any device is used in a state where the flow rate is in use, the flow rate value registered by the flow rate difference between the average flow rate of all the device flow rates used and the total flow rate of the flow rate registration means is reduced or re-registered or registered. By adding and correcting the flow rate, monitoring is always performed with the average flow rate of all the appliances used and the total flow rate of the flow rate registration means for monitoring the flow rate always matching, and there is no shortage in the monitored instrument flow rate. The registered flow is reduced when the device starts or stops from a state where the minute flow has changed.When the registered flow is large at this time, it is determined that the correction has been corrected too much. Re-register the flow rate difference between the volume and the decreasing change flow rate, monitor the flow time for usage time, shut off the usage time early, increase the number of unnecessary dispatches of gas companies, or use it for a long time like a heater Although it is possible, it can be prevented from being stopped in a short time and the usability is lowered, and a gas shutoff device with high reliability and safety can be realized.

The figure which shows the installation form of the gas cutoff device and gas appliance in embodiment of this invention Control block diagram of shut-off device in embodiment 1 of the present invention Control block diagram of the gas shutoff device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Control block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device

A first aspect of the present invention is a gas shut-off device that monitors the usage status of a plurality of gas appliances and shuts off the supply of gas when an abnormality occurs , the flow rate detecting means for measuring the flow rate at a predetermined period, and the flow rate detecting means The flow rate calculation means for calculating the instantaneous flow rate value from the measured value, the average flow rate calculation means for calculating the average flow rate from the instantaneous flow rate obtained by the flow rate calculation means, and whether there is a change in flow rate from the average flow rate obtained by the average flow rate calculation means a flow change determination unit that determines, together with the flow rate variation detected to flow registers the change in flow rate at time of increase in the flow rate change decision unit, and the flow rate registration unit to reduce correct registration flow close to the flow change at time of reduction, the registration total flow rate means for calculating a total value of registered flow rate registered by the flow registration unit, and the flow rate difference calculating means for calculating a flow rate difference from said average flow rate and the total value of the registered flow rate, the flow rate variations After newly registered changes flow by determining a chromatic, when the flow rate difference obtained by subtracting the registered flow rate total average flow rate is positive, adding a flow rate difference obtained to the maximum registered flow rate other than registered flow rate that is newly registered Flow rate difference adding means, monitoring value storage means for storing a determination value for monitoring the use state of the instrument, and abnormality determination means for determining whether there is an abnormality from the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means and the determination value of the monitoring value storage means And a shut-off means for shutting off the gas supply when the abnormality judgment is established by the abnormality judgment means. The flow detection means detects that the instrument has started to be used, and the flow rate calculation means converts it to an instantaneous flow rate. The average flow rate is obtained and registered by the flow rate registration means, but when a plurality of appliances are used and the appliance flow rate is registered, there is a slight flow rate change that is not determined as a flow rate change by the flow rate change judging means by the flow rate control of the appliance. Long After a certain period of time, it is determined that the flow rate has changed for the first time when any device is used, and the flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration means.If there is a flow rate difference between the registered flow rate total value and the average flow rate after the flow rate registration, It is determined that a flow rate change has occurred before registration, the flow rate difference between the total registered flow rate and the average flow rate is obtained, and the total flow rate and monitoring of the appliances used are corrected by adding and correcting from the closest registered flow rate among the registered flow rates. The total flow rate registered value matches, that is, the flow rate of all the used tools can be registered and monitored at the corresponding usage time. The usage time is monitored and the usage time is cut off early, and the number of unnecessary dispatches of the gas company increases, while it can be used for a long time like a heater, but it stops in a short time and the usability is reduced. To prevent And a highly safe gas shut-off device can be realized.

The second invention is a program for executing all or part of the means of the first inventions of the blocking device to the computer, a part of the blocking device of the present invention using a microcomputer or the like because it is a program or All can be realized easily. Also, program distribution and installation can be simplified by recording on a recording medium or distributing a program using a communication line.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an installation mode of a gas shut-off device and a gas appliance according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG.

  A gas shut-off device 2 is installed at the entrance of the gas supply pipe 1 in each household, and various gas appliances used in each home are installed by branching from the gas pipe 3 after passing through the gas shut-off device 2. Piping to place and gas is supplied. For example, a water heater 4 is installed outdoors, and hot water generated by the water heater 4 is installed in a kitchen hot water tap 5, a bath 6 in which a bathtub and a shower device are installed, a living room and the like through a water pipe. It is supplied to the floor heating 7 and forms various usage forms.

  In addition, when indoors, gas is supplied to a gas table 8 installed in a kitchen, a gas fan heater 9 installed in a living room, a bedroom, or the like, and is used as needed.

  When the installed gas appliance is used and gas consumption occurs, the amount of use is measured by the gas shutoff device 2, and the amount of use is accumulated and stored as a meter reading value. The data stored in the gas shut-off device 2 is subjected to predetermined information processing based on a periodic data request command from the gas company, and then the gas fee, gas usage, discount service provided by the gas company, etc. This information is used by consumers and gas companies.

  The gas shut-off device 2 has a gas flow path having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and is provided with a flow rate detection means 10 for measuring the gas flow rate. There are various methods as the flow rate detecting means 10, and an ultrasonic signal is transmitted from one to the other by a pair of ultrasonic sensors installed in the flow path shown in the present embodiment, and the gas used is determined from the propagation time. One that detects the flow rate, one that provides a hot wire sensor in the flow path, obtains the flow rate from the impedance that changes with the flow, and further detects the amount of gas by the metering membrane, and leads the mechanical operation of the metering membrane to the magnet Some devices detect the flow rate as an electrical pulse signal by a switch or a magnetoresistive element.

  Therefore, the flow rate detection means 10 using an ultrasonic sensor will be briefly described. A first transmitter / receiver that transmits or receives ultrasonic waves and a second transmitter / receiver that receives or transmits ultrasonic waves are arranged to oppose the flow direction, and are controlled. Switching between transmission and reception is possible by the circuit. The flow rate is measured by processing signals from the first transceiver and the second transceiver, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted from upstream to downstream. And it receives with a 2nd transmitter / receiver, and measures a propagation time with a time measuring means.

Next, an ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the downstream to the upstream by the switching means, and the propagation time is measured. Then, the flow rate calculation means 11 obtains the flow rate value by multiplying the difference in ultrasonic propagation time between the first transmitter / receiver and the second transmitter / receiver by the flow rate coefficient corresponding to the size of the flow path and the fluid flow state. The flow rate is obtained every predetermined cycle as an instantaneous flow rate value.

  Then, the instantaneous flow rate value measured and determined every predetermined period is input to the average flow rate calculation means 12, and a predetermined number of instantaneous flow rate values are collected and calculated as an average flow rate value. The flow rate change determining means 13 determines the change in the presence or absence of the appliance flow rate from the average flow rate value. The change is determined from the average flow rate obtained this time and the previous average flow rate. Thereafter, the current average flow rate is stored in the flow rate change determination means 13 in time series. That is, the flow rate change determination unit 13 compares the average flow rate value calculated by the current average flow rate calculation unit 12 with the previous average flow rate to determine whether there is a change flow rate or a flow rate change rate that is greater than a predetermined value. Judgment is made to determine whether or not the appliance has started to be used or whether or not the flow rate has changed. For example, when the customer uses the water heater 4, the flow rate value changes from zero to a predetermined flow rate, or from the average flow rate obtained when the water heater 4 is used while using other appliances and the previous average flow rate. The use / stop of the device or the presence / absence of the flow rate change is determined based on whether the flow rate change rate or the flow rate change amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

  When a change in flow rate is detected by the flow rate change determination means 13, it is determined whether the use of the instrument is started or stopped. When the instrument is used, the flow rate change is registered in the flow rate registration means 14. Set as a value. Here, the flow rate registration unit 14 includes an increase flow rate registration unit 14a and a decrease flow rate registration unit 14b. Every time a change on the flow rate increase side is detected, it is determined that the appliance has been additionally used, and each time the flow rate change is newly set as a flow rate registration value. On the other hand, when the use of the appliance is stopped, it is determined that the registered flow value that is close to the flow rate change amount among the registered flow values registered in the flow registration means 14 is deleted from the registered flow value. Change and register the registered flow again in descending order.

  Similarly, in this deletion process, every time a change on the flow rate decrease side is detected, it is determined that the use of the appliance has been stopped, and the deletion process of the registered flow rate value is executed each time. If the flow rate change amount does not match the registered flow rate value, find the smallest registered flow rate or the change rate between the registered flow rate and the difference between each registered flow rate and flow rate change amount. The flow rate value with a small change rate is corrected to decrease with the flow rate change value, and it is determined as the flow rate change of the nearest instrument, and the registered value is changed in ascending order.

  Next, the registered flow rate summing unit 15 obtains the total flow rate of the flow rate values registered by the flow rate registering unit 14. The flow rate difference calculating means 16 obtains the presence or absence of a flow rate difference from the total value of the registered flow rates in the registered flow rate summing means 15 and the average flow rate of the entire appliance used by the average flow rate computing means 12, and finds the flow rate difference in some cases. . When the average flow rate is subtracted from the registered total flow rate and there is a positive flow rate difference, the flow rate difference is re-input to the reduced flow rate registration unit 14b of the flow rate registration unit 14, and the closest registered among the device flow rates registered before registration Correct the decrease from the flow rate.

  In other words, when registered with a flow rate change due to an increase in appliances, if the appliance that was registered and used until just before that is subject to a minute flow rate change that is not detected by the control for a long period of time, the actual value is higher than the registered total value at the time of registration. In some cases, the average flow rate is small, and the detected flow rate difference is determined to have changed any of the registered flow rates, and the nearest registered flow rate is obtained and corrected for decrease. Then, this correction is repeated until this flow rate difference disappears.

And the abnormality determination means 17 monitors an apparatus used by the set registration flow volume. The monitoring value storage means 18 stores a time limit value for use time corresponding to each flow rate region, a monitoring judgment value for the maximum use flow rate, or the like. For example, when a hose that supplies gas to a stove or the like is disconnected for some reason, an abnormally large flow rate is generated, but the total flow cutoff value for monitoring such a state and the maximum usage time for normal use of the instrument The monitoring value storage means 18 stores the usage time cutoff time limit that defines the usage time limit time corresponding to a case where the usage time is much longer. By comparing and determining this set value and the registered flow rate value of the flow rate registering unit 14 by the abnormality determining unit 17, the registered flow rate value does not exceed the maximum usable flow rate value, or the usage time of the appliance corresponds to the registered flow rate. Monitor whether the time limit for continuous use is exceeded. When the abnormality determination means 17 determines that an abnormality is established, a cutoff signal is sent to the cutoff means 19 to stop the gas supply. Further, the notification communication means 20 displays the shut-off state and shut-off content on a liquid crystal display element or the like and notifies the center of the gas company that is monitoring the safety of the gas by communication such as a telephone line.

  Next, operation | movement of the gas interruption | blocking apparatus 2 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. When a gas appliance, for example, a water heater 4 or a gas fan heater 9 held at a customer's home is used, the flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection means 10. For example, when an ultrasonic sensor is used, the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal is measured as a detected value, and this signal is sent to the flow rate calculation means 11 and converted into an instantaneous flow rate value. Calculated as the average flow value. The obtained average flow rate is periodically determined by the flow rate change determination means 13 for the presence or absence of changes in the appliance flow rate. The flow rate change determining means 13 stores a plurality of time-series data after determining the flow rate change. The presence or absence of a flow rate change is obtained from the past average flow rate stored in the flow rate change determination means 13 (for example, the previous or previous time or the average flow rate stored N times before) and the current average flow rate.

  That is, using the average flow rate value output at a predetermined interval, the use of the appliance or the stoppage of the appliance is determined from the change state, and the flow rate change at the time of change is used as the registered flow rate of the appliance to be used. By newly registering or by correcting or deleting the registered flow rate that has already been registered, it is possible to accurately set the registered flow rate corresponding to the device used at the time of change.

  For example, when the water heater 4 is used, for example, when the past flow rate is zero, the flow rate changes to 1500 L / h or the like, and the change is compared with the current average flow rate and the past average flow rate to determine whether there is a change. If the rate of change or the amount of change is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined that there is a change, and some device is used, and is registered in the flow rate registration means 14. Alternatively, when the water heater 4 is used while the gas table 8 is being used, the flow rate of the gas table 8 is stored in the past flow rate of the flow rate change determining means 13, and the flow rate change determining means 13 stores the current average flow rate and the past flow rate stored value. Similarly, the change flow rate is obtained, and similarly, the change flow rate from the current flow rate, or the change flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration means 14 when there is a change when the change flow rate is a predetermined value or more.

  Here, in the flow rate registration means 14, the average flow rate obtained when the flow rate changes is input to the increase flow rate registration means 14a and the decrease flow rate registration means 14b. When a flow rate increase and determination signal is input by the flow rate change determination means 13, an increased flow rate with the previous average flow rate is registered. Further, when any of the appliances is stopped or the flow rate is changed during use of a plurality of appliances, the flow rate change determining means 13 determines whether the change is a decrease from the past flow rate stored value and the average flow rate. The flow rate registration means 14 deletes or reduces the closest flow rate registration value among the flow rates registered from the decrease change flow rate. If the flow rate change amount does not match the registered flow rate value, find the smallest registered flow rate or the change rate between the registered flow rate and the difference between each registered flow rate and flow rate change amount. The small registered flow rate is corrected to decrease by the flow rate change value, and it is determined that the flow rate of the nearest instrument is changed, and the registered value is changed in ascending order.

  All the registered flow rate values are added by the registered flow rate summing unit 15 to obtain the total flow rate. The flow rate difference calculating means 16 calculates the flow rate difference from the calculated average flow rate and the registered flow rate total value. When the flow rate difference is not zero, it is determined that the flow rate of the appliance used is not registered in the flow rate registration means 14 to be monitored, and the registered flow rate is corrected again with the flow rate difference.

When a plurality of devices are used and registered in the flow rate registration means 14, and when some device is further used and the flow rate increases, if the behavior is detected by the flow rate change determination means 13, the flow rate change means increases the flow rate change amount. It is registered by the flow rate registration means 14a. However, if the flow rate of an instrument that is already in use is controlled until immediately before registration and a slight flow rate change that is not detected by the flow rate change determination unit 13 continues for a long time, the registered total flow rate and the average flow rate are Is different.

  That is, when the difference in flow rate obtained by subtracting the average flow rate for using the appliance from the registered total flow rate is positive, it is determined that any of the registered device flow rates has changed and decreased. Decrease correction is performed by the reduced flow rate registration means 14b of the flow rate registration means 14 with the obtained flow rate difference. By this processing, the registered flow rate and the average flow rate coincide. If a plurality of instrument flow rates are registered, it is determined whether the obtained flow rate difference flow rate is one of the registered flow rates or a registered flow rate that is closer.

  For example, the degree of change from the registered flow rate is obtained as (registered flow rate−flow rate difference) / registered flow rate, and it is determined that the smallest flow rate device has caused the flow rate change. Therefore, the generated flow rate difference is corrected to be smaller than the registered flow rate determined to have caused the flow rate change. If a decrease correction is made and the flow rate difference remains, a decrease correction is made from the next closest flow rate registration value. As a result, the flow rate is corrected until there is no difference.

  In the usage mode in which the use of the water heater 4 is started while the gas table 8 or the gas fan heater 9 is being used, when used for floor heating or the like, the load at the initial stage of operation is large, the load at the stable state is small, or the shower For example, when the difference between the initial water temperature and the set temperature is large, the amount of combustion changes greatly when the hot water temperature stabilizes. In such a case, the flow rate of the water heater 4 is further registered while the increased flow rate of the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9 is registered by the increased flow rate registration unit 14a of the flow rate registration unit 14. In the initial stage of operation of the water heater 4, the flow rate of use of the water heater 4 is changed and the average flow rate value at this time is registered in the flow rate registration means 14 as a registered flow rate.

  When the operation is continued, when the room temperature is stabilized, the combustion amount, that is, the gas flow rate is controlled in a decreasing direction by the proportional control. Change continues for a long time. In such a case, since there is no flow rate change, the registered value of the flow rate registration means 14 does not change. When the water heater 4 is stopped, the flow rate change determining unit 13 determines that the flow rate is decreasing, and the reduced flow rate registering unit 14b deletes the registered flow rate corresponding to the decreased flow rate.

  At this time, the total value of the registered flow rate is calculated at each flow rate change determination timing or every time the average flow rate is obtained, and the flow rate difference is set so that the newly calculated average flow rate and the total value of the registered flow rate coincide with each other due to the instrument change. If there is a flow rate difference and the registered flow rate is small, it is registered as a new flow rate, and conversely, if the registered flow rate is large, the flow rate difference is corrected to be smaller than the registered flow rate with the smallest registered flow rate, and re-registration is performed. That is, the flow rate of the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9 is actually used, but as a result of the flow rate decrease that does not change the flow rate of the water heater 4, the total flow rate value registered and the detected average flow rate value (that is, the actual flow rate) It is possible to prevent the flow rate from being monitored in a state where the flow rate does not match the total flow rate value.

Then, the abnormality determination means 17 monitors the used appliance with reference to the corresponding use time limit time in the monitor value storage means 18 with the reset registered flow rate. When the monitoring time elapses and an abnormality occurs, safety is ensured by operating the shut-off means 19 to stop the gas supply.
It should be noted that the numerical limitation used in the present embodiment is an example, and the usage pattern is not limited to the present embodiment.

As described above, when the flow rate change determining means 13 detects a large flow rate change in which a certain instrument is started to be used from a minute flow rate decrease state that does not detect a flow rate change of a predetermined value or more, it is registered by the flow rate change. It is determined that the device with the already registered flow rate other than the flow rate has already been subjected to reduction control, and the flow rate difference between the total flow rate value of the registered flow rate and the average flow rate of all actual used devices is determined. By reducing and re-registering the already registered flow rate, the total registered flow rate value always matches the actual device flow rate in use, and the maximum flow rate registered in that state is monitored by the abnormality determination means 17. It is possible to secure an appropriate use restriction function corresponding to the equipment used, and since the actual average consideration and the registered flow rate decrease are not corrected, it is possible to prevent erroneous interruption due to incorrect usage time monitoring. Even if it is abnormal use, it can be prevented from shutting down late, and conversely, it can be prevented from shutting down early, and the safety and reliability are extremely high. Is expensive.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the gas shut-off device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and components having the same functions as those in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 are given the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 21 denotes a flow rate difference adding unit. When the flow rate change detecting unit 13 detects a flow rate change and the flow rate registering unit 14 registers the flow rate, the flow rate difference calculation is performed based on the outputs of the registered flow rate totaling unit 15 and the average flow rate calculating unit 12. The flow rate difference is obtained by means 16, and if there is any flow rate difference, a flow rate registration correction request is output. That is, in this case, since the flow rate difference has occurred immediately before the flow rate change, it is determined that a minute change that is not detected by the flow rate change determination means 13 has continuously occurred, and the flow rate difference is already registered. Addition correction is made to the largest flow rate value among the flow rates.

  Next, operation | movement of the gas interruption | blocking apparatus 2 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. When a gas appliance, for example, a water heater 4 or a gas fan heater 9 held at a customer's home is used, the flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection means 10. For example, when an ultrasonic sensor is used, the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal is measured as a detected value, and this signal is sent to the flow rate calculation means 11 and converted into an instantaneous flow rate value. Calculated as the average flow value. The obtained average flow rate is periodically determined by the flow rate change determination means 13 for the presence or absence of changes in the appliance flow rate. The flow rate change determining means 13 stores a plurality of time-series data after determining the flow rate change. The presence or absence of a flow rate change is obtained from the past average flow rate stored in the flow rate change determination means 13 (for example, the previous or previous time or the average flow rate stored N times before) and the current average flow rate.

  In other words, using the average flow rate value output at a predetermined interval, the use of the device or the stop of the device is judged from the change state, but when the flow rate change increases, the flow rate change is taken as the registered flow rate of the use device, and the flow rate registration New registration is made in the means 14. Conversely, when the flow rate change decreases, the flow rate value corresponding to the flow rate change is selected to be closest to the registered flow rate that has already been registered, and is corrected to decrease.

  For example, when the hot water heater 4 is used in a state where the past flow rate is zero, the flow rate changes to 1500 L / h or the like, and this change is compared with the current average flow rate and the past average flow rate to determine whether there is a change. When the rate of change or the amount of change is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that there is a change, and some device is used, and is registered in the flow rate registration unit 14. Alternatively, when the water heater 4 is used while the gas table 8 is being used, the flow rate of the gas table 8 is stored in the past flow rate of the flow rate change determining means 13, and the flow rate change determining means 13 stores the current average flow rate and the past flow rate stored value. Similarly, the change flow rate is obtained, and similarly, the change flow rate from the current flow rate, or the change flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration means 14 when there is a change when the change flow rate is a predetermined value or more.

Here, the average flow rate obtained when the flow rate is changed in the flow rate registration unit 14 is input to the increase flow rate registration unit 14a and the decrease flow rate registration unit 14b. When a flow rate increase and determination signal is input by the flow rate change determination means 13, an increased flow rate with the previous average flow rate is registered. When any of the devices is stopped or the flow rate is changed during use of a plurality of devices, the flow rate change judging means 13 determines whether the change is a decrease from the past flow rate stored value and the average flow rate, and outputs the reduced change flow rate. Then, the flow rate registration means 14 deletes or reduces the closest flow rate registration value among the flow rates registered from the decreasing change flow rate. If the flow rate change amount does not match the registered flow rate value, find the smallest registered flow rate or the change rate between the registered flow rate and the difference between each registered flow rate and flow rate change amount. The small registered flow rate is corrected to decrease by the flow rate change value, and it is determined that the flow rate of the nearest instrument is changed, and the registered value is changed in ascending order.

  All the registered flow rates are added by the registered flow rate summing unit 15 to obtain a total flow rate. In order to determine whether or not the flow rate difference calculating means 16 matches the calculated average flow rate, a flow rate difference is obtained from the registered flow rate total value. If the flow rate difference is not zero, the flow rate of the instrument being used may change due to temperature control or the like, and the result may not match the registered flow rate. When a change in flow rate due to the start of use of some device is detected, the average flow rate after the flow rate change is detected from the average flow rate immediately before the change is registered as the newly started device flow rate. At that time, the flow rate calculation means 16 determines the flow rate difference between the registered flow rate summing means 15 and the average flow rate at the time of registration. At this time, if the flow rate difference is not zero, it is determined that the flow rate of the already registered device has been changed by the control function of the device. When the flow rate difference obtained by the flow rate difference calculating means 16 is positive, that is, when the flow rate difference obtained by subtracting the total registered flow rate from the average flow rate is positive, the flow rate difference adding means 21 except the newly registered flow rate by the flow rate change detection. Is added to the flow rate already registered. If multiple flow rates are registered, add to the one with the larger flow rate registered. That is, the one with a larger flow rate is determined to be an instrument that performs instrument control. In this way, the actual flow rate (average flow rate) and the registered flow rate are always matched and monitored for use.

  When using the water heater 4 while the gas table 8 or the gas fan heater 9 is in use, when it is used for floor heating or the like, the initial water temperature is high when the load at the initial stage of operation is large, when the load at the stable state is small, or at the shower. When the hot water temperature stabilizes when the difference between the temperature and the set temperature is large, the amount of combustion changes greatly. In such a case, the increased flow rate registration unit 14a of the flow rate registration unit 14 registers the increased flow rate of the gas table 8 and the gas fan heater 9, and further registers the flow rate of the water heater 4. In the initial stage of operation of the water heater 4, the flow rate of use of the water heater 4 is changed and the average flow rate value at this time is registered in the flow rate registration means 14 as a registered flow rate.

  When the operation is continued, when the room temperature is stabilized, the combustion amount, that is, the gas flow rate is controlled in a decreasing direction by proportional control. Thereafter, when the door or window of the room is opened, the room temperature gradually decreases, and the gas flow rate is controlled in the increasing direction by proportional control. At this time, there is a case where the flow rate increases so as not to be detected by the flow rate change determination means 13. When such a minute change that cannot be determined by the flow rate change determination unit 13 continues for a long time, the flow rate registered in the flow rate registration unit 14 and the average flow rate obtained periodically do not match. . When another device is used at such a time, first, the flow rate change due to the flow rate change is first registered in the flow rate registration means 14 as the device flow rate, and then the gradually increased flow rate amount is added to the registered flow rate total value and the average. The flow rate difference calculating means 16 obtains the flow rate difference from the flow rate. This flow rate difference is output as a change flow rate of the flow rate of the instrument already registered before newly registering the flow rate so that the flow rate difference adding means 21 adds the flow rate difference. The increased flow rate registering unit 14a of the flow rate registering unit 14 adds to the previous registered flow rate without newly registering. The result average flow rate matches the registered total flow rate. When there are a plurality of registered flow rates before new registration, the gradually increased flow rate difference is added to the larger of the registered flow rates. In other words, a large flow rate instrument is often equipped with electronic control such as proportional control.

Then, the abnormality determination means 17 monitors the used appliance with reference to the corresponding use time limit time in the monitor value storage means 18 with the reset registered flow rate. When the monitoring time elapses and an abnormality occurs, safety is ensured by operating the shut-off means 19 to stop the gas supply.
It should be noted that the numerical limitation used in the present embodiment is an example, and the usage pattern is not limited to this embodiment.

As described above, when there is a gradual increase in the flow rate when the flow rate change determination unit 13 does not detect a flow rate change greater than or equal to the predetermined value, it is determined that the flow rate has changed due to the control of the already registered device depending on the timing of using the device. Then, the flow rate difference is added and corrected to the registered appliance flow rate, and the maximum registered flow rate is monitored by the abnormality determination unit 17 in a state where the total value of the flow rate registration unit 14 matches the actual appliance flow rate in use. It is possible to secure an appropriate use restriction function corresponding to the equipment used, prevent erroneous shut-down due to incorrect use time monitoring, or to shut down late even though it is abnormal use of the equipment, or conversely It can be prevented from being shut off early, and safety and reliability are extremely high, and unnecessary dispatch of the gas company due to early shut-off can be reduced, making it easy to use.

  As described above, the gas shut-off device according to the present invention is intended to optimize the function of limiting the usage time of appliances whose usage is slightly changed. It can be applied to general equipment monitoring devices such as monitoring the amount of electricity used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Flow rate detection means 11 Flow rate calculation means 12 Average flow rate calculation means 13 Flow rate change determination means 14 Flow rate registration means 15 Registered flow rate total means 16 Flow rate difference calculation means 17 Abnormality determination means 18 Monitor value storage means 19 Shut off means 20 Notification communication means 21 Flow rate Difference addition means

Claims (2)

A gas shut-off device that monitors the usage status of a plurality of gas appliances and shuts off the gas supply when an abnormality occurs.
A flow rate detection means for measuring a flow rate at a predetermined cycle ;
A flow rate calculation means for calculating an instantaneous flow rate value from a measurement value of the flow rate detection means;
Average flow rate calculating means for obtaining an average flow rate from the instantaneous flow rate obtained by the flow rate calculating means;
A flow rate change determining means for determining the presence or absence of a flow rate change from the average flow rate obtained by the average flow rate calculating means;
A flow rate registration unit that registers a flow rate change when the flow rate change detected by the flow rate change determination unit increases, and decreases and corrects a registered flow rate close to the flow rate change when decreasing,
A registered flow total means for calculating a total value of the registered flow registered by the flow registration means ;
A flow rate difference calculating means for obtaining a flow rate difference from a total value of registered flow rates and the average flow rate;
After the new flow rate is registered after judging that the flow rate has changed , if the flow rate difference obtained by subtracting the total registered flow rate from the average flow rate is positive, the flow rate difference calculated for the maximum registered flow rate other than the newly registered flow rate A flow rate difference adding means for adding
Monitoring value storage means for storing a judgment value for monitoring the use state of the appliance;
An abnormality determination means for determining the presence or absence of abnormality from the registered flow rate of the flow rate registration means and the determination value of the monitoring value storage means;
A gas shut-off device comprising: a shut-off means for shutting off the gas supply when the abnormality judgment by the abnormality judging means is established. Program for causing a computer to function as all or part of the means of the serial mounting of the blocking device in claim 1.