JP3368891B2 - Flowmeter - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to city gas and LPG.
The present invention relates to a flow meter that measures the flow rate of a fluid such as gas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a flow meter of this type has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-1
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 90715, a structure in which a nonvolatile memory element is used to protect internal data has been proposed, and has a structure as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

In the flow meter of FIG. 4, 31 is a flow meter main body, 32 is a flow rate detecting means, 33 is a control means for obtaining an integrated flow rate value from a flow rate signal detected by the flow rate detecting means and displaying it on a display means 34, and 35 is Non-volatile storage means for storing the integrated flow rate value obtained by the control means 34 as backup data, 36 is a battery for driving these means, 37 is a battery 3
6 is a battery voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of 6.

In the above structure, the integrated flow rate value obtained by the control means 33 is held in an internal memory (not shown) such as a volatile RAM, but when the battery 37 is exhausted, the data in the internal memory is stored. Will be extinguished. Therefore, the battery voltage detection means 37 indicates that the battery voltage has dropped below the predetermined value.
The integrated flow rate value obtained by the control means 34 at this time is written in the non-volatile storage means 35. After that, when it is detected that the battery voltage is recovered by replacing the battery 36, the reset circuit 38 operates to change the integrated flow rate value held in the non-volatile storage means 35 to the internal data of the control means 34. To use as. Therefore, if the battery is replaced, the flow rate can be continuously measured from the integrated flow rate value before the replacement.

[0005]

However, in the flowmeter having the above structure, when the reset circuit operates,
Only the flow rate integrated value is shown as the data to be taken into the control means, and the details of other data are not shown. Therefore, in a flow meter configured to set various items related to the flow rate calculation function, safety function, and communication function, which are the basic functions of the flow meter from the outside, these basic functions cannot be guaranteed if restarted after an abnormality occurs. Had a problem.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems,
The first purpose is to continue the flow rate measurement without restarting the setting from the outside when restarting after an abnormality occurs.

A second object is to operate the safety function without re-setting externally at the time of restarting after an abnormality occurs.

A third object is to operate the communication function without re-setting externally at the time of restarting after an abnormality occurs.

A fourth object is to notify the occurrence of an abnormality to the outside by a communication function without re-setting externally at the time of restarting after the occurrence of the abnormality.

[0010]

In order to achieve the first object, a flowmeter according to the present invention has a flow rate detecting means for detecting a fluid flow rate, a flow rate signal of the flow rate detecting means and a characteristic value set from the outside. Flow rate measuring means for obtaining a flow rate measured value based on the flow rate measuring means, setting means for setting a characteristic value in the flow rate measuring means,
At least the non-volatile storage means for storing the characteristic value held by the flow rate measuring means, and the rewriting means for rewriting the data held by the flow rate measuring means to the stored data of the non-volatile storage means.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned second object, the flow rate state detecting means for detecting the use condition of the fluid from the output value of the flow rate detecting means, and the output value of the flow rate state detecting means deviate from a reference state set from the outside. In the case of doing, an abnormality determination means for outputting an abnormality signal is provided, setting means for setting the reference state held by the abnormality determination means, non-volatile storage means for storing at least the reference state of the abnormality determination means, and Rewriting means for rewriting the data held by the abnormality determining means to the storage data of the non-volatile storage means.

In order to achieve the third object, a flow rate detecting means for detecting a fluid flow rate, a flow rate measuring means for obtaining a flow rate measured value based on a flow rate signal and a characteristic value of the flow rate detecting means, and an external unit. Communication means, communication control means for controlling the communication means based on externally set data, setting means for setting data in the communication control means, and communication destination and flow meter held by at least the communication control means A nonvolatile storage means for storing its own identification information and a rewriting means for rewriting the data held by the communication control means to the stored data in the nonvolatile storage means.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object, the communication control means is configured to transmit the abnormality information to the communication partner rewritten by the rewriting means.

[0014]

Since the flow meter of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration holds the characteristic value of the flow rate detecting means in the non-volatile storage means, when restarting after an abnormality occurs, these data are externally supplied. The flow rate can be measured based on the value held in the non-volatile storage means without resetting.

Further, since the non-volatile storage means holds the standard state as a standard for operating the safety function, when the system is restarted after the occurrence of an abnormality, the non-volatile data is not re-set externally without being reset. The safety function can be operated based on the value held in the sex memory means.

Further, since the identification data of the communication partner and the flowmeter itself are held in the non-volatile storage means, when the system is restarted after the occurrence of an abnormality, the non-volatile setting is performed without re-setting these data externally. Based on the value held in the storage means, the data communication with the stored destination can be continued.

Furthermore, it is possible to notify the occurrence of an abnormality through the data communication function.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flowmeter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a flow rate detecting means, which generates a flow rate signal s corresponding to the flow rate of the gas passing through the flow meter body as an electric signal such as a voltage. Reference numeral 2 denotes a flow rate measuring means, which calculates an integrated measurement value based on the output of the flow rate detecting means 1 and a characteristic value set from the outside. Flow rate measuring means 2
Is composed of a calculation means 3, a characteristic value storage means 4, and an integration means 5. The characteristic value storage means 4 stores a characteristic value indicating the relationship between the flow rate signal s from the flow rate detection means 1 and the flow rate Q. Here, the flow rate signal indicates a physical quantity itself such as frequency or voltage, or a value obtained by converting the physical quantity according to a physical law. The characteristic value is a constant of a function indicating the relationship between the flow rate signal s and the flow rate Q. For example, Q = F (s) = A · s ² + B · s +
If it can be represented by a quadratic expression of C, F is stored in the characteristic value storage means 4.
The respective terms A, B, and C of (s) are stored in the form of a constant or a function. In some cases, the function F (s) can be expressed by the same function for all areas, but in some cases, it can be expressed by a different function for each area. In such a case, data of an inflection point at which the function changes is also stored. The calculating means 3 is a function F (s) based on the flow rate signal s of the flow rate detecting means 1, the coefficients A, B, C output from the characteristic value storing means 4 and the inflection point information.
The flow rate Q is calculated according to Here, when the flow rate signal s is obtained with constant weighting, that is, when it is obtained by the calculation formula of Q = A · s, this coefficient A is stored as a characteristic value. The function F (s) is not limited to the polynomial polynomial, and may be a non-linear function such as fuzzy or neuro. 5 is an integrating means, which is a computing means 3
The flow rate Q obtained in step 1 is added to obtain the integrated flow rate value Qs. 6
Is a setting means for externally setting the characteristic value stored in the characteristic value storage means 4 through a communication line or the like. Reference numeral 7 is a display means for displaying the integrated flow rate value obtained by the flow rate measuring means 2 on the LCD, L
Display using ED etc. Reference numeral 8 denotes a non-volatile storage means for storing the integrated flow rate value and the characteristic value obtained by the flow rate measuring means 2. Reference numeral 9 is a data control means, which controls reading and writing of data from and to the nonvolatile storage means 8. The data control means 9
It is composed of writing means 10 for writing data to the non-volatile storage means 8 and rewriting means 11 for reading data from the non-volatile storage means 8 and rewriting the data of the flow rate measuring means 2. A control unit 12 controls the display unit 7 and the non-volatile storage unit 8 based on the flow rate signal of the flow rate detection unit 1, and is constituted by the flow rate measurement unit 2, the data control unit 9 and the like, and is a microcomputer. It is realized by using. A battery 13 serves as a power source for each of these means. Reference numeral 14 denotes an initialization means. When the voltage of the power supply 13 supplied to the control means 12 falls below the operation guarantee voltage V0 and then exceeds a predetermined operable voltage V1 (value of V0 or more), an initialization signal is output. Output and by this initialization signal,
The operation of the microcomputer realizing the control means 12 is initialized and exhibits the same operation as when the power is turned on.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. During normal operation, when gas is used, the flow rate detecting unit 1 outputs a flow rate signal s in the form of a voltage signal according to the flow rate. In the calculating means 3, based on the flow rate signal s from the flow rate detecting means 1 and the characteristic value stored in the characteristic value storing means 4, the flow rate Q =
F (s) is obtained, the flow rate Q is integrated by the integrating means 5, and displayed by the displaying means 7. Further, the writing means 9 writes the characteristic value stored in the characteristic value storage means 4 and the integrated flow rate value obtained by the integrating means 5 into the non-volatile storage means 8. The timing of writing may be set at a constant time if it changes every moment like the integrated flow rate value, or at the time of setting if it does not change after being set externally like the characteristic value. .

Here, when an abnormality occurs in the battery 13 and the power supply is stopped, or when the microcomputer realizing the control means 12 runs out of control, the integrating means 5
Although the integrated flow rate value and the characteristic value of the characteristic value storage means 4 disappear or the display of the display means 7 disappears, the integrated value flow rate value and the characteristic value stored in the nonvolatile storage means 8 are retained. Has been done. This value is read as internal data of the flow rate measuring means 2 by the initialization signal from the initialization means 14. The initialization signal is output from the initialization means 14 at the following times, for example. When the power supply is once stopped and then restarted after the battery is replaced, the voltage of the initialization unit 14 is forcibly dropped in order to avoid an abnormal operation due to a runaway of the microcomputer realizing the control unit 12. In this case, noise is added to the initialization means 14 and the voltage applied to the initialization means 14 is temporarily reduced. In either case, the initialization signal is output, the stored data in the non-volatile storage means 8 is read and set as the initial value.

Since the non-volatile storage means 8 stores the integrated flow rate value and the characteristic value before the occurrence of the abnormality, the flow rate measurement can be continued without setting these data again.

The initialization signal may be provided in response to the input of a switch or the like regardless of the power supply voltage. Further, not only the one that can be taken out in the form of an electric signal to the outside, but the one that internally gives a command according to some condition may be used.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a flowmeter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, those having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 15 is a flow rate state detecting means for detecting the use state of the flow rate based on the internal data of the flow rate measuring means 2, that is, the flow rate Q obtained by the calculating means 3 and the flow rate integrated value obtained by the integrating means 5. Reference numeral 16 is an abnormality determining means, which determines whether or not the flow rate state detected by the flow rate detecting means 15 deviates from the reference state, and outputs an abnormality signal when there is an abnormality. Reference numeral 17 denotes a cutoff means, which stops the supply of fluid in response to an abnormality signal from the abnormality determination means 16. In addition to the characteristic value of the characteristic value storage means 3, the setting means 6 can also set the reference state held by the abnormality determination means 16. The writing unit 10 writes the reference state of the abnormality determining unit 16 in the nonvolatile storage unit 8 in addition to the internal data of the flow rate measuring unit 2. When the rewriting unit 11 receives the initial signal from the initializing unit 14, the rewriting unit 11 rewrites the data of the flow rate measuring unit 2 and the abnormality determining unit 16 with the stored data of the non-volatile storage unit 8 as an initial value.

Here, the reference state is a state in which each condition such as the total flow rate set according to the capacity of each flow meter, the maximum individual flow rate, and the safe continuous use time is taken into consideration. The total flow rate condition is a case where the total gas flow rate that passes through the flow meter within a predetermined measurement time exceeds a value that is initially set due to gas hose disconnection or the like. In addition, the individual maximum flow rate condition is to detect the gas flow rate change at a predetermined measurement time, identify how many kinds of gas appliances are currently used, and identify how much gas consumption is in each, and When the maximum gas consumption, that is, the gas flow rate exceeds a predetermined set value, gas leaks such as cracks in the gas hose and hose disconnection due to half-damaged gas plug are dealt with. Also, the safe continuous use time is the statistical data of the time a gas appliance with a certain amount of combustion is continuously used and the continuously usable time set for each combustion range from the explosion limit associated with the amount of gas leakage. This is a case where the output from the flow rate state detection means 15 exceeds this set time, and safety is ensured even if the gas appliance is forgotten to be turned off or gas leaks from the appliance.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When gas is used, based on the flow rate Q obtained by the flow rate measuring means 2,
The current state of use, that is, the above-mentioned total flow rate, individual flow rate, safety continuation time, and the like are detected by the flow rate state detecting means 15. The value detected here is output to the abnormality determination means 16 and compared with the reference state stored therein. Since the reference state has different values depending on the capacity of the flow meter, etc., the reference state corresponding to each flow meter is set by the setting means 6 at the start of use of the flow meter. When a value deviating from the reference state defined by the abnormality determining means 16 is detected by the flow rate state detecting means 15, the shutoff means 17 operates to stop the gas supply in order to prevent danger.

Here, when an abnormality occurs in the battery 11 and the supply of power is stopped, or when the microcomputer realizing the control means 12 runs away, the internal data of the abnormality determination means 16 disappears. However, the reference state stored in the non-volatile storage means 8 is retained. This value is read as internal data of the abnormality determination means 16 by the initialization signal from the initialization means 14. The output of the initialization signal from the initialization means 14 is the same as in the first embodiment, and is omitted here. When the initialization signal is output from the initialization means 14,
Since the reference state of the abnormality determining means 16 is restored based on the data stored in the non-volatile storage means 8, there is an effect that the safety function can be restored without resetting the data through the setting means 6.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a flowmeter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, those having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 18 is a communication means, for example, for data transmission with the outside through a communication line or the like. Reference numeral 6 is a setting means for setting the characteristic value of the flow rate measuring means 2 and the data necessary for controlling the communication means 18 from the outside. Reference numeral 19 is a communication control means, which holds the data set through the setting means 6 as internal data, and controls the communication means 18 based on this data. The data held in the communication control means 19 includes information for identifying the data transmission source / transmission destination. For example, for data transmission through a telephone line, the telephone number of the information base station is stored as the identification information of the communication destination, and the data for identifying the transmission source on the base station side is stored in the flowmeter main unit. It is stored in the form of identification information such as an ID number and a manufacturing number. Reference numeral 8 denotes a non-volatile storage means for storing data relating to communication held by the communication control means 16. Reference numeral 10 denotes a writing unit that writes the integrated flow rate value obtained by the flow rate measuring unit 5 to the nonvolatile storage unit 8 when the internal data of the communication control unit 19 is set by the setting unit 6 or at regular intervals. A rewriting unit 12 rewrites the data of the communication control unit 19 and the flow rate measuring unit 2 with the storage data of the nonvolatile storage unit 8 when the initialization signal is output from the initialization unit 14.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The communication unit 18 transmits the integrated flow rate value measured by the flow rate measurement unit 2 to the outside, and receives the characteristic value of the flow rate measurement unit 2 and the like as setting data from the outside. For example, in the case of an automatic meter reading system that notifies the monthly charges to the base station via a telephone line,
Many flow meters are connected via telephone lines. In this case, in order to perform data communication via the communication means 18, the telephone number of the base station is required as the identification information of the communication partner, and the flow rate is used to indicate that the information oscillation source is the self. An ID number, a manufacturing number, or the like is required as the total identification information. The communication control means 19 stores these information as internal data, and at the time of data transmission, toward the telephone number of the base station stored in the communication control means 19, together with the original information, the ID number of the flow meter. And so on. On the other hand, when receiving data, the data from the base station contains the original information along with the original information in order to confirm whether or not the transmitted data is indeed transmitted to itself.
The D number is added, and only when the numbers match, processing such as receiving data is performed. Since these pieces of identification information are different for each flow meter, they are set from the outside through the setting means 6 at the time of factory shipment or when they are attached to customers. The setting means 6 may be different from the communication means 18, or the communication means 18 itself may play the role of the setting means 6. When the setting means 6 sets data in the communication control means 19, the same data is recorded in the non-volatile storage means 8.

Here, when an abnormality occurs in the battery 11 and the supply of power is stopped, or when the microcomputer realizing the control means 12 runs away, the internal data of the communication control means 19 is lost. However, the telephone number of the base station and the ID number of the flow meter stored in the non-volatile storage means 8 are retained. This value is read as internal data of the communication control means 19 by the initialization signal from the initialization means 14. Initialization means 14
Since the initialization signal is output from the same as that of the first embodiment, it is omitted here. When the initialization signal is output, the data in the communication control means 19 is restored based on the data stored in the non-volatile storage means 8. Therefore, the communication function can be restored through the setting means 6 without redoing the data setting. effective.

Further, when the initialization signal is output, the data is transferred from the non-volatile storage means 8 to the communication control means, and the abnormality information is transmitted to the base station through the communication means 18. In this case, the base station can learn that some abnormality has occurred in the power supply 13 and take necessary measures. For example, when abnormality information is transmitted, the flow rate measuring means 2
If the characteristic value and the like are transmitted from the base station, the flow rate can be continuously measured without storing the characteristic value in the nonvolatile storage means 8.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, the flow meter of the present invention has the following effects.

Since the characteristic values are stored in the non-volatile storage means and these data are set as the initial values of the flow rate measuring means when the initialization signal is output, there is no need to redo the setting from the outside when restarting after an abnormality occurs. It becomes possible to continue the flow rate measurement.

Further, since the non-volatile storage means stores the reference state of the flow rate as a reference for operating the safety function and sets these data as the initial value of the reference state at the time of outputting the initialization signal, it is abnormal. It becomes possible to recover the safety function without restarting the setting when restarting after the occurrence.

Further, the non-volatile storage means stores data necessary for communication such as identification information of the communication partner or the flowmeter itself, and when the initialization signal is output, these data are set as initial values of the communication control means. Therefore, the communication function can be restored without restarting the setting from the outside when the system is restarted after an abnormality occurs.

Further, since the occurrence of the power supply abnormality is notified, it becomes possible to take necessary measures such as redoing necessary data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flow meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a flow meter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a flow meter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional flow meter.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Flow rate detection means 2 Flow rate measuring means 6 setting means 8 Non-volatile storage means 11 Rewriting means 15 Flow rate state detection means 16 Abnormality determination means 18 Communication means 19 Communication control means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI G01F 15/075 G01F 15/075 G08C 19/00 G08C 19/00 H (72) Inventor Tadanori Shirazawa 1006 Daimon Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-1-261963 (JP, A) JP-B 1-30406 (JP, B2) JP-B 7-65743 (JP, B2) JP-B 1- 20369 (JP, B2) Patent 3147631 (JP, B2) Patent 3008692 (JP, B2) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01F 1/00 G01F 15/075

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A flow rate detecting means for detecting a fluid flow rate, a flow rate measuring means for obtaining a flow rate measurement value based on a flow rate signal of the flow rate detecting means and a characteristic value set from the outside, and a characteristic value for the flow rate measuring means. A setting means for setting, a non-volatile storage means for storing at least the characteristic value held by the flow rate measuring means, and a rewriting means for rewriting the data held by the flow rate measuring means to the storage data of the non-volatile storage means are provided. Flowmeter. 2. A flow rate state detecting means for detecting a use condition of a fluid from an output value of the flow rate detecting means, and an abnormal signal is output when the output value of the flow rate state detecting means deviates from a reference state set from the outside. And a setting means for setting the reference state held by the abnormality determining means,
The flowmeter according to claim 1, further comprising: a non-volatile storage unit that stores at least the reference state of the abnormality determination unit; and a rewriting unit that rewrites the data held by the abnormality determination unit with the storage data of the non-volatile storage unit. 3. A flow rate detecting means for detecting a fluid flow rate, a flow rate measuring means for obtaining a flow rate measurement value based on a flow rate signal and a characteristic value of the flow rate detecting means, a communication means with the outside, and data set from the outside. A communication control means for controlling the communication means based on the above, a setting means for setting data in the communication control means, and a nonvolatile memory for storing at least identification information of the communication partner held by the communication control means and the flowmeter itself. A flow meter comprising a storage means and a rewriting means for rewriting the data held by the communication control means to the storage data of the nonvolatile storage means. 4. The flow meter according to claim 3, wherein the communication control means transmits the abnormality information to the communication partner rewritten by the rewriting means.