JP3202825B2 - Flow data analysis system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flow rate data analysis system for analyzing the flow tendency of a fluid based on the flow rate of the fluid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A flow meter equipped with a flow sensor is used to measure the flow rate, that is, the consumption of a fluid such as gas or water, and is installed in a home, office, factory, or the like. The output of the flow sensor of the flow meter is used not only for billing but also for analyzing the consumption tendency of the fluid. As a flow sensor, for example, a type that outputs a pulse (hereinafter, referred to as a unit flow signal) every time a predetermined amount of flow flows in a pipeline is known.

[0003] There are various types of flow sensors ranging from a wide range to a narrow range of flow rate (flow rate per unit time) in which accurate measurement can be performed, but a flow sensor capable of measuring a wide range of flow rate is relatively large. Become. Therefore, a method of measuring the miniaturization of a flow meter by using two small flow rate sensors that can detect a small flow range but have a small flow range that can be measured by a small flow rate sensor has been adopted. I have.

[0004] By the way, even a small-sized flow sensor having a narrow range of measurable flow rates, a flow sensor capable of detecting an accurate flow rate with stable characteristics at all times (hereinafter referred to as a stable flow sensor) and a temperature sensor having a temperature change characteristic. Flow rate sensor (hereinafter referred to as "
(Referred to as a fluctuating flow sensor), and there is a great difference in price. Since a stable flow sensor is expensive, when trying to obtain a flow meter in a wide flow range using two flow sensors as described above, one should be composed of a stable flow sensor and the other a variable flow sensor, By correcting the output of the flow sensor that fluctuates based on the output of the flow sensor, a satisfactory flow meter can be constructed at low cost. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 3-96817 and 4-177126. And JP-A-4-177126
No. 1993, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In this case, the correction of the output of the flow sensor means that, for example, a fluid flowing at 1 liter per second can be detected by a stable flow sensor and a fluctuating flow sensor, and when the fluid actually flows at 1 liter per second. Since the output is different between a stable flow sensor and a fluctuating flow sensor, signal processing is performed so that the fluctuating flow sensor output matches the stable flow sensor output.

For this correction, the measured flow rate ranges of the two flow rate sensors must overlap in terms of characteristics, and the flow rate range to be measured by the two flow rate sensors must be a range including the flow rate range where both sensors overlap. Therefore, it is necessary to select a sensor capable of detecting the flow rate range for this correction for both of the flow sensors.

[0006]

Heretofore, in order to obtain an appropriate flow rate range for this correction, the only option is to infer from the flow rate range that is considered to be used in a home or office. If it is determined by simple estimation, if the actual flow rate range at home or office deviates from the estimated flow rate range, correction cannot be performed, and the flow meter eventually becomes unusable. In addition, the correction of the characteristics described above does not have to be performed only once when the flowmeter is mounted, but the characteristics always fluctuate due to the temperature or the like. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately correct even after the flowmeter is mounted. There is. That is, the flow rate range for the above-described correction needs to be set to a flow rate range that can actually flow after the flow meter is attached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when a flow meter is composed of a stable flow sensor and a fluctuating flow sensor, the flow sensor fluctuates based on the output of the stable flow sensor. An object of the present invention is to provide a flow rate data analysis system for appropriately determining a flow rate range for correcting an output.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a detecting means for detecting a flow rate of a fluid by a plurality of flow meters and outputting flow rate data, and a flow rate of the fluid from the detecting means. First analysis means for analyzing, for each of the plurality of flow meters, a predetermined unit time flow rate or a frequency of occurrence of a flow rate corresponding to the unit time flow rate width for each of the plurality of flow meters based on the data; Based on the analysis result of the analysis means, the ratio of the number of flow meters having a predetermined unit time flow rate or the flow rate corresponding to the unit time flow width for each of the predetermined time widths to the total number of the plurality of flow meters is calculated. The flow rate data analysis system was constituted by the second analysis means for analysis.

Further, detecting means for detecting a flow rate of a fluid by a plurality of flow meters and outputting flow rate data, and a predetermined means for each of the plurality of flow meters based on the flow rate data of the fluid from the detecting means. A flow rate data analysis system is constituted by a third analysis means for analyzing a predetermined unit time flow rate or an integrated flow rate corresponding to the unit time flow rate width for each time width.

[0010]

According to the present invention, according to the present invention, the first analyzing means can determine whether the plurality of flow meters have a predetermined unit time flow rate or a predetermined unit time at predetermined time intervals based on the flow rate data from the detecting means. The occurrence frequency of the flow rate corresponding to the time flow width is analyzed, and based on the analysis result, the second analysis means
The ratio of the number of flow meters having a predetermined unit time flow rate or the flow rate corresponding to the unit time flow width for each predetermined time width to the total number of the plurality of flow meters is analyzed.

The third analyzing means may correspond to a predetermined unit time flow rate or a unit time flow rate width for each of a plurality of flow meters based on the flow rate data from the detecting means. Analyze the integrated flow.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flow rate data analysis system according to the present invention.

The flow data analysis system 1 includes a terminal device 2
, A flow data collection device 3, and flow meters 4a, 4b, 4c
Consisting of The flow meters 4a, 4b, 4c are connected to the flow data collecting device 3 by, for example, a dedicated line. Each of the flow meters 4a, 4b, 4c is installed in a different home, and the flow meter 4
a, 4b, and 4c, each of which is detected by a flow rate sensor (not shown), and a unit flow rate signal as a detection result is transmitted to the flow rate data collection device 3. The flow rate data collection device 3 includes a unit flow rate signal received from the flow meters 4a, 4b, and 4c, and a RAM (not shown) provided in the flow rate data collection device 3.
(Hereinafter simply referred to as a RAM), and analyzes the unit flow rate signal stored in the RAM based on an instruction from the terminal device 2 connected to the flow rate data collection device 3 by, for example, an RS-232C standard cable. I do. This analysis will be described later.

FIG. 2 shows the flow meters 4a and 4b shown in FIG.
4A is a time chart showing a generation timing of a unit flow signal which is an output of each of the flowmeters 4c, and FIG.
(B) is the output of the flow meter 4b, (c) is the output of the flow meter 4
The output of c is shown.

The unit flow rate signal is output, for example, every time 1.5 liters of gas flows. First,
As for (a), a unit flow signal is output at 6-minute intervals between 7:00 and 8:00, and a unit flow signal is output at 12-minute intervals between 8:00 and 8:24.
The unit flow rate signal is output every 18 minutes between minutes and 9 o'clock. Next, as for (b), a unit flow rate signal is output at intervals of 12 minutes between 7:00 and 7:36, and a unit flow rate signal is output at intervals of 6 minutes between 7:36 and 8:00. , Between 8:00 and 9:00, the unit flow rate signal is output at 12 minute intervals. Finally, regarding (c), the unit flow rate signal is output at 18 minute intervals between 7:00 and 7:36, and the unit flow rate signal is output between 7:36 and 9:00.
Unit flow rate signals are output at minute intervals.

The unit flow rate signals (hereinafter, also referred to as pulses) output from the flow meters 4a, 4b, and 4c at the timings shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are stored in the RAM. As a method, only when there is a change in the generation time interval of the unit flow rate signal by the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H4-60420 filed by the same applicant as the present application, the time when there is a change and A method of storing the number of pulses up to that time is used. This method is disclosed in
Since it is described in detail in Japanese Patent No. -60420, it will not be described here in detail. This storage is performed by storing a program previously stored in a ROM (not shown) provided in the flow rate data collecting apparatus 3 shown in FIG. CPU).

FIG. 3 shows a storage format in which the unit flow rate signal generated at the timing of the time chart shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the RAM.

According to the method described in JP-A-4-60420, a pulse output as shown in FIG. 2 (a) is shown in FIG. 3 (a) and as shown in FIG. The output pulse is shown in FIG. 3 (b), and the output pulse as shown in FIG. 2 (c) is R in the form shown in FIG. 3 (c).
Stored in AM.

The present invention is based on information (hereinafter referred to as flow rate data) stored in a RAM in the format shown in FIG.
This is a flow rate data analysis system that analyzes the flow rate. Hereinafter, this analysis will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a case where a unit flow signal is generated at the timing of the time chart shown in FIG.
Information on the number of minutes of gas consumption in a predetermined flow rate range (in FIG. 4, divided in units of 5 [l (liter) / h (hour)]) within a time range (time width) divided into 0 minute intervals. (Hereinafter referred to as occurrence frequency by time range) is stored in the RAM.

In FIG. 4, (a) relates to FIG. 2 (a), (b) relates to FIG. 2 (b), and (c) shows the frequency of occurrence by time range with respect to FIG. 2 (c).

FIG. 5 is a general flowchart of a process for obtaining the occurrence frequency for each time range shown in FIG. 4 based on the flow rate data shown in FIG.

From the flow rate data shown in FIG.
In order to determine the frequency of occurrence by time range shown in (a),
First, the unit time flow rate is calculated (F-1). The unit time flow rate is, for example, the volume of gas consumed in one hour.

Referring to FIG. 3A, it can be seen that between 7:00 and 8:00, ten pulses (that is, unit flow rate signals) are output in one hour, and one pulse contains gas as described above. Since it indicates that 1.5 [l] has flowed, the unit time flow rate at this time is 15 [l / h] (= 10 × 60/60).
[Pulse / h] × 1.5 [l / pulse]). Next, between 8:00 and 8:24, two pulses are output in 24 minutes.
The unit time flow rate at this time is 7.
5 [l / h] (= 2 × 60/24 [pulse / h] × 1.
5 [1 / pulse]). Finally, from 8:24 to 9
Since two pulses are output during 36 minutes during the hour, the unit time flow rate at this time is 5 [l / h] (= 2 × 6
0/36 [pulse / h] × 1.5 [l / pulse]). The calculation of the unit time flow rate in step (F-1) is performed in this manner.

Next, the time during which each flow rate range continues for each time range is calculated (F-2). In this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (a), the time range is divided in units of 30 minutes, and the flow rate range is divided in units of 5 [l / h].

As described above, from 7:00 to 7:30:30
Since the unit time flow rate per minute is 15 [l / h], the column of the unit time flow rate exceeding 0 and not more than 5 [l / h] in the time range from 7:00 to 7:30 is 0 and 5 [l / h]. 1 / h]
The column of the unit time flow rate below [l / h] is 0 and 10 [l / h].
h] and 15 [l / h] or less is 30 minutes in the column of the unit time flow rate.

Next, the unit time flow rate from 7:30 to 8:00 for 30 minutes is 15 [l / h].
The time when each flow rate range in the time range at 8 o'clock was
It is the same as that in the time range from 7:00 to 7:30.

The unit time flow rate from 8:00 to 8:24 for 24 minutes is 7.5 [l / h], and the unit time flow rate from 8:24 to 8:30 for 6 minutes is 5 [l / h]. / H], and exceeds 0 in the time range from 8:00 to 8:30,
The column of the unit time flow rate below [l / h] is 6 minutes, and 5 [l / h].
h], the column of the unit time flow rate of 10 [l / h] or less is 24 minutes, and the column of the unit time flow rate exceeding 10 [l / h] and 15 [l / h] is 0.

Finally, the unit time flow rate from 8:30 to 9:30 for 5 minutes is 5 [l / h].
In the time range of 9 o'clock, the column for the unit time flow rate exceeding 0 and not more than 5 [l / h] is 30 minutes, and the value of the unit flow rate is more than 5 [l / h] and 10 [l / h].
/ H] is 0 in the column of the unit time flow rate below 10 [l / h].
The column of the unit time flow rate exceeding 15 [l / h] is 0. Subsequently, the time calculated in step (F-2) is represented by R
The result is stored in the AM (F-3) and the processing ends.

By performing the same processing as described above for obtaining the occurrence frequency for each time range shown in FIG. 4A from the flow rate data shown in FIG. 3A, the flow rate data shown in FIG. The occurrence frequency for each time range shown in FIG. 4B can be obtained, and the occurrence frequency for each time range shown in FIG. 4C can be obtained from the flow rate data shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a case where the unit flow rate signal is generated at the timing of the time chart shown in FIG.
Ratio of flow meters that consumed gas in a predetermined flow rate range (in FIG. 6, divided in units of 5 [l / h]) in the time range divided into 0 minute intervals to all flow meters (hereinafter, time range) This shows a storage format for storing the different existence probability in the RAM.

FIG. 7 is a general flowchart of a process for obtaining the existence probability for each time range shown in FIG. 6 based on the frequency of occurrence for each time range shown in FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b) and 4 (c). .

In order to obtain the existence probability for each time range shown in FIG. 6 from the occurrence frequency for each time range shown in FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b) and 4 (c), each flow rate range is consumed for each time range. The ratio of the measured flow meter to the total flow meter is calculated (T-1).
Hereinafter, this calculation method will be described.

First, the time ranges of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are respectively from 7:00 to 7:30, and the flow rate range exceeds 0 and the time in the column of 5 [l / h] or less. Occurrence frequency by range is 0
Find out how many flow meters there are. FIG.
Looking at (a), (b), and (c), the number of flow meters whose occurrence frequency by time range is not 0 is 1 (FIG. 4C, that is, only the occurrence frequency by time range of the flow meter 4c is 0). Rather than 30). In this embodiment, the total number of flow meters is three (the flow meter 4a, the flow meter 4b, and the flow meter 4).
c), the time range in FIG. 6 is from 7:00 to 7:30, the flow rate range exceeds 0, and the value in the column of 5 [l / h] or less (existence probability by time range) is ３. The method of obtaining the values in the other columns in FIG. 6 is the same, and a description thereof will be omitted. The processing shown in FIG. 7 stores the ratio calculated in step (T-1) in the RAM.
And (T-2) ends.

FIG. 8 shows a case where a unit flow rate signal is generated at the timing of the time chart shown in FIG. 2 and a predetermined flow rate range (in FIG. 8, 5 [l / h] unit) for each flow meter. 3) shows a storage format in which information indicating how many minutes gas consumption has occurred (hereinafter, referred to as occurrence frequency by flow meter) is stored in a RAM.

In FIG. 8, (a) shows a time range from 7:00 to
Regarding the case of 7:30, (b) shows the time range of 7:30
(C) relates to the case where the time range is from 8:00 to 8:30, and (d) relates to the case where the time range is from 8:30 to 8:30.
This is the occurrence frequency of each flow meter in the case of 9 o'clock.

FIG. 9 is a general flowchart of a process for obtaining the occurrence frequency for each flow meter shown in FIG. 8 based on the flow rate data shown in FIG.

In order to determine the consumption flow rate by time range shown in FIG. 8A from the flow rate data shown in FIG. 3, first, a unit time flow rate is calculated (P-1). The calculation of the unit time flow rate is the same as step (F-1) in FIG.

Next, the duration of each flow rate range is calculated for each flow meter (P-2). As described above, since the unit time flow rate of the flow meter 4a in the time range of 7:00 to 7:30 is 15 [l / h], the flow meter type is the flow meter 4a.
In the column where the flow rate range exceeds 0 and is 5 [l / h] or less,
The column where the flow rate range exceeds 5 [l / h] and 10 [l / h] or less is 0, and the flow rate range exceeds 10 [l / h] and 15
[L / h] The following column is 30 minutes.

Next, since the unit time flow rate of the flow meter 4b in the time range of 7:00 to 7:30 is 7.5 [l / h], the flow meter type is the flow meter 4b and the flow rate range is 0. And the column below 5 [l / h] is 0 and the flow rate range is 5 [l / h].
h] and 10 [l / h] or less are 30 minutes, and the flow rate range exceeding 10 [l / h] and 15 [l / h] is 0.

Finally, since the unit time flow rate of the flow meter 4c in the time range of 7:00 to 7:30 is 5 [l / h], the flow meter type is the flow meter 4c and the flow rate range exceeds 0. The column below 5 [l / h] is 30 minutes, and the flow rate range is 5 [l / h].
h], the column of 10 [l / h] or less is 0, and the column of flow rate range exceeding 10 [l / h] and 15 [l / h] is 0.
It is. Subsequently, the consumption flow rate calculated in step (P-2) is stored in the RAM, and the process ends (P-3).

The flow rate data shown in FIG. 3 is obtained from the flow rate data shown in FIG.
The frequency of occurrence by flow meter shown in (b) (time range is 7:30
From 8 to 8 o'clock) and the flow rate data occurrence frequency (when the time range is from 8 o'clock to 8:30 o'clock) shown in FIG. 8C from the flow rate data shown in FIG. 8 (d) (when the time range is from 8:30 to 9:00) can be obtained from the flow rate data shown in FIG.

The analysis results obtained by the above-described analysis, such as the occurrence frequency by time range shown in FIG. 4, the existence probability by time range shown in FIG. 6, and the occurrence frequency by flow meter shown in FIG. According to the instruction from the terminal device 2 shown in (1), the information can be displayed in a table format or a graph format on a display device (not shown) provided in the terminal device 2. These analysis results can be printed in a table format or a graph format by a printing device arbitrarily provided in the terminal device 2. The above-described analysis processing is realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM.

By using the occurrence frequency for each time range shown in FIG. 4 and the existence probability for each time range shown in FIG. 6 obtained from the analysis described above, a flow meter can be constructed by a stable flow rate sensor and a fluctuating flow rate sensor. In this case, it is obvious at a glance where to set the flow range for correcting the fluctuating output of the flow sensor.

Further, if the occurrence frequency for each flow meter shown in FIG. 8 is used, for example, the daily fluctuation of the temperature of the flow sensor affected by the temperature can be corrected by using only the information of the flow rate without using the temperature sensor. Can be used for data acquisition.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
a, 4b, and 4c, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, 300 flowmeters are provided, and each flowmeter is installed in a different home, and each flowmeter is provided with a different flowmeter. The unit flow signal may be collected and analyzed.

In this embodiment, a RAM is used to store information such as flow rate data. However, other storage devices such as a magnetic disk may be used.

Further, in this embodiment, a dedicated line is used for connection between the flow meter and the flow rate data collecting apparatus. However, the present invention can of course be realized by connection via a public line or wireless communication. Further, in this embodiment, only the flow meter is installed in each home.However, a storage device for flow data is installed in each home, and the flow rate data of each home is analyzed by an analyzer provided in the storage device. The analysis result may be transmitted to the flow data collection device, and the flow data collection device may combine the analysis devices received from the individual analysis devices and perform a comprehensive analysis.

Further, in the present embodiment, for example, in FIG. 6, the time range is divided in units of 30 minutes, and the flow rate range is set to 5 [l / l].
h], it is easy according to the present invention to change these widths arbitrarily (in terms of time range, one day or one month), for example, as shown in FIG. The terminal device 2 may instruct the flow rate data collection device 3 to change these widths. In this way, analysis results having various utility values can be obtained.

[0051]

As described above, by using the occurrence frequency for each time range shown in FIG. 4 and the existence probability for each time range shown in FIG. When a flow meter is composed of a flow sensor and a fluctuating flow sensor, it is obvious at a glance where to set a flow range for correcting the output of the fluctuating flow sensor.

Further, if the occurrence frequency of each flow meter shown in FIG. 8 is used, for example, it is possible to correct the daily fluctuation of the temperature of the flow sensor affected by the temperature by using only the information of the flow rate without using the temperature sensor. Can be used for data acquisition.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flow rate data analysis system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing a generation timing of a unit flow signal which is an output of each of the flow meters shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a storage format in which a unit flow rate signal generated at the timing of the time chart shown in FIG. 2 is stored in a RAM.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the occurrence frequency for each time range when a unit flow rate signal is generated at the timing of the time chart shown in FIG.
Indicates the storage format to be stored in.

5 is a general flowchart of a process for obtaining an occurrence frequency for each time range shown in FIG. 4 based on the flow rate data shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the existence probability for each time range when a unit flow signal is generated at the timing of the time chart shown in FIG.
Indicates the storage format to be stored in.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the frequency of occurrence by time range shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a general flowchart of a process of obtaining an existence probability for each time range shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a storage format in which the occurrence frequency of each flow meter when a unit flow signal is generated at the timing of the time chart shown in FIG. 2 is stored in a RAM.

FIG. 9 is a general flowchart of a process for obtaining an occurrence frequency for each flow meter shown in FIG. 8 based on the flow data shown in FIG. 3;

[Description of Signs] 1 Flow data analysis system 2 Terminal device 3 Flow data collection device 4a, 4b, 4c Flow meter

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiko Ito 3-6-4-102 Mansh オ ー Oaks, Akabane, Kita-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Tomoyuki Yokosuka 5-29-1, Kasumigaseki Kita, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01F 1/00-15/18

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A detecting means for detecting a flow rate of a fluid by a plurality of flow meters and outputting flow rate data, and a predetermined value for each of the plurality of flow meters based on the flow rate data of the fluid from the detecting means. A first analyzing means for analyzing a predetermined unit time flow rate or an occurrence frequency of a flow rate corresponding to the unit time flow rate width for each time width; and for each of the predetermined time widths, based on an analysis result of the first analyzing means. A second analysis unit for analyzing a ratio of the number of flow meters having a flow rate corresponding to a predetermined unit time flow rate or a unit time flow rate width to the total number of the plurality of flow meters. Flow data analysis system. 2. A detecting means for detecting a flow rate of a fluid by a plurality of flow meters and outputting flow rate data, and a predetermined value for each of the plurality of flow meters based on the flow rate data of the fluid from the detecting means. A flow rate data analysis system comprising: a third analysis unit that analyzes a predetermined unit time flow rate or an integrated flow rate corresponding to the unit time flow rate width for each time width.