JP7792638B2 - Water meter unit control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water meter control system in which a water meter unit is connected to a waterworks information terminal and/or a user information terminal in a communicable state via a network.

A water meter unit typically includes a water meter that measures the flow rate of water flowing through a water pipe, and a valve such as a stopcock that is installed on the water pipe upstream or downstream of the water meter. In recent years, proposals have been made to connect water meter units to information terminals on the waterworks bureau or user side via a network, allowing for automatic flow rate measurement and valve control (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information terminal for water meters that, when a "Shut Off" button is selected on the user's mobile device only after the flow rate has been confirmed, causes the shutoff unit of the measuring device to shut off the water supply and displays a completion notification on the user's mobile device, thereby preventing the measuring device's battery from being drained by inappropriate valve operation.

Patent Document 2 also discloses a water meter that has a flow rate detection section, a flow rate control section, and a control unit. The flow rate control section 3 has a valve element 34 that can open and close a flow path opening 32, and a stepping motor 35 that drives the valve element 34 to open and close, and the drive of the stepping motor 35 is controlled by a control unit 4.

Patent Document 3 also discloses a water meter that includes a storage box, an automatic valve with a drive unit located within the storage box, a water meter, and a water stop valve. The storage box houses a control device, which is connected to the automatic valve and water meter. The control device sends signals from the water meter to the outside and opens and closes the automatic valve in response to a drive signal from the outside.

JP 2018-36050 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-258201 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-317972

However, there was a problem with controlling either type of water meter: it was not possible to accurately detect water leaks.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a water meter unit control system that can accurately detect water leaks and thereby enable the waterworks bureau or users to remotely open and close the valves in the water meter unit.

To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provides a water meter unit control system in which the water meter unit is connected to a waterworks information terminal and/or a user information terminal in a communicable state via a network, and the water meter unit includes a water meter that measures the flow rate of water flowing through the waterworks, a valve located upstream or downstream of the water meter in the waterworks, and a control unit that controls the water meter and the valve.The control unit determines whether water has flowed for a predetermined continuous usable time based on the water flow rate measurement by the water meter, and if it determines that water has flowed for a predetermined continuous usable time, it detects a water leak and notifies the waterworks information terminal and/or the user information terminal of the water leak via the network.

This system detects a water leak when water flows through the water line for longer than the specified continuous usable time, allowing for accurate detection of water leaks and allowing waterworks authorities and users to be notified of water leaks easily and reliably.

The control unit may also control the valve to close when it receives a command to stop the water supply via a network from the waterworks bureau's information terminal and/or the user's information terminal that notified the water leak. In this way, when the waterworks bureau or a user confirms a water leak, they can use their own information terminal to command the water meter unit to stop the water supply, thereby easily and reliably closing the valve of the water meter unit.

The control unit may also control the valve to close immediately upon detecting a water leak or after a predetermined closing time has elapsed. This allows the valve of the water meter unit to be closed quickly when a water leak occurs.

The control unit may also set the continuous water usage time for leak detection in response to a command from the waterworks bureau's information terminal and/or the user's information terminal. This allows the waterworks bureau or the user to easily set the continuous water usage time for leak detection from their own information terminal via a network.

The control unit may also have a continuous use mode in which water leak detection is not performed, and a water leak detection mode in which water leak detection is performed. In the continuous use mode, continuous water use is permitted without detecting water leaks, while in the water leak detection mode, the control unit may determine whether water has flowed through the tap for a predetermined continuous use time based on the water flow rate measurement results from the water meter, and detect a water leak if it determines that water has flowed through the tap for the predetermined continuous use time. In this way, when the continuous use mode is set, the user can use the tap continuously for a long period of time, while when the normal water leak detection mode is set, water leaks can be monitored.

The control unit may also switch from continuous use mode to water leak detection mode when a predetermined switching time has elapsed in continuous use mode. This automatically switches from continuous use mode to water leak detection mode when the predetermined switching time has elapsed, even if continuous use mode is set. This prevents the device from forgetting to switch to continuous use mode and failing to detect water leaks.

The control unit may also switch between continuous use mode and water leak detection mode in response to a command from the waterworks bureau's information terminal and/or the user's information terminal. This allows the waterworks bureau or the user to easily switch between continuous use mode and water leak detection mode from their own information terminal via a network.

The control unit may also detect a water leak when it determines that water at a flow rate below a predetermined level has been flowing through the water for a predetermined period of continuous use. This allows for accurate detection of a water leak when a small amount of water is leaking, such as when the water faucet is not closed properly or when part of the water pipe is damaged.

According to the present invention, a water leak is detected when water flows through the waterworks for more than a specified continuous usable time, allowing for accurate detection of water leaks and for waterworks authorities and users to be notified of water leaks easily and reliably.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a water meter unit control system. FIG. 2 is a front view of the water meter unit of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a side view of the water meter unit of FIG. 1 . 2A and 2B are a plan cross-sectional view and a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which a valve of the water meter unit of FIG. 1 is open. 2A and 2B are a plan cross-sectional view and a front cross-sectional view showing a state in which a valve of the water meter unit of FIG. 1 is closed. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the water meter unit of FIG. 1 . 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of water leakage detection in the present system.

Next, an embodiment of a water meter unit control system (hereinafter referred to as the present system) according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

[Overall configuration of this system]
As shown in Figure 1, this system 1 comprises a water meter unit 10 installed in a water supply facility, a water bureau information terminal 20 located at the water bureau, a user information terminal 30 owned by a water user, and a server 40 connected to the water meter unit 10, the water bureau information terminal 20, and the user information terminal 30 via a network.

The waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and the user information terminal 30 are devices such as smartphones, tablet devices, mobile phones, wearable devices, or PCs owned by the users, and communicate with the server 40 via a network such as the Internet.

As described above, the server 40 is connected to the waterworks station information terminal 20 and the user information terminal 30 via a network in a state in which they can communicate with each other, and is also connected to the water meter unit 10 via a network in a state in which they can communicate with each other, and controls communication between the waterworks station information terminal 20, the user information terminal 30, and the server 40, and stores specified data, as described below.

[Configuration of water meter unit 10]
The configuration of the water meter unit 10 will be specifically described below.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the water meter unit 10 comprises a water meter 1 installed midway through the water pipe 4 and measuring the flow rate of water flowing through the water pipe 4, and a valve 2 installed downstream of the water meter 1 on the water pipe 4, and is electrically connected to a control unit 3 shown in Figure 7 that controls the water meter 1 and the valve 2.

The water meter 1 is connected to a water pipe 4 and includes an inlet 11 through which water flows in from the water pipe 4, an outlet 12 through which water flows out, and a meter body 13 to which the inlet 11 and outlet 12 are connected.

The meter main body 13 is made of a metal or resin casing and includes a measuring unit 131 that measures the water flow rate and pressure, a display unit 132 that displays the water flow rate measured by the measuring unit 131, and piping 134 that houses the electrical wiring between the valve.

The measuring unit 131 houses a strainer, rectifier, impeller, and various sensors (not shown), which are the same as those installed in conventional water meters 1. For example, the impeller rotates due to the flow of water flowing in from the inlet 11, and a rotating magnetic field generated by a magnet rotating with the impeller is detected by a flow sensor such as a magnetic sensor. Based on the detection results, the flow rate of water flowing through the flow pipe 4 is measured in the control unit 31, which will be described later. In addition, the pressure of the water flowing in from the inlet 11 is detected by a pressure sensor, and based on the detection results, the pressure of the water flowing through the flow pipe 4 is measured in the control unit 31, which will be described later.

The display unit 132 is located at the top of the meter main body 13 and displays the water flow rate measured by the measuring unit 131 in a counter format. It is normally closed by the meter cover 133, and when checking the flow rate, the meter cover 133 is opened and the flow rate displayed on the display unit 132 is checked.

The valve 2 comprises a valve body 21 connected to the outlet 12 of the water meter 1, a ball plug body 22 housed inside the valve body 21, a drive unit 23 that rotates the ball plug body 22 about its axis, and a rotation transmission mechanism 24 that transmits the rotation of the drive unit 23 to the ball plug body 22.

The valve body 21 is composed of a casing whose central portion is slightly larger in diameter than the outlet 12 of the water meter 1. The inlet opening 211 is connected to the outlet 12 of the water meter 1, and the outlet opening 212 is connected to the water pipe 4. Fluid entering through the inlet opening 211 passes through the interior of the valve body 21 (through the flow hole 221 of the ball plug body 22) and then flows out of the outlet opening 212, forming a water flow direction F.

The valve body 21 also has metal, resin, or rubber ball seats 214 at the inlet opening 211 and outlet opening 212, which support the ball plug 22 by sandwiching it from both the inlet and outlet sides.

The valve body 21 also has an upper opening 213 that is provided with a cover tube 242 for the rotation transmission mechanism 24 (described below), and the rotation shaft 241 of the rotation transmission mechanism 24 is inserted toward the interior of the valve body 21.

As shown in Figure 6, the ball plug 22 is a metal or resin ball member formed in a roughly spherical shape overall, with a flow hole 221 formed through its center. This ball plug 22 is housed inside the valve main body 21 in a state where it can rotate horizontally around its axis; as described below, when water is passing through, the axial direction of the flow hole 221 coincides with the water flow direction F, but when water is stopped, it rotates horizontally alternately at an angle of 90 degrees so that the axial direction of the flow hole 221 and the water flow direction F intersect at a right angle.

As mentioned above, the ball plug body 22 maintains its watertightness through the ball seat 214 of the valve body 21. Therefore, when water is flowing through, all water that flows in from the inlet opening 211 of the valve body 21 passes through the flow holes 221 of the ball plug body 22 and then flows out from the outlet opening 212 of the valve body 21.

The drive unit 23 is positioned vertically above the ball plug body 22 and includes a drive motor 231 with a vertical rotation axis and a reducer 232 for slowing down the rotation of the drive motor 231. The drive motor 231 and reducer 232 are housed in a case 233 along with the communication unit 32 and power supply battery 35 (described below).

The rotation transmission mechanism 24 comprises a rotating shaft 241 extending vertically and a cover tube 242 that covers the rotating shaft 241. One end of the rotating shaft 241 is connected to the drive unit 23 via a reducer 232, while the other end of the rotating shaft 241 is connected to the upper end of the ball plug body 22. A case portion 233 is connected to the upper end of the cover tube 242, and the case portion 233 is supported by the upper end of the cover tube 242.

The valve 2 also has an open/close sensor that functions as a limit switch (not shown), which detects and stores the fully open or fully closed state of the valve 2 by the ball plug 22. The valve 2 may also be configured to display an LED or other indicator to indicate whether the valve 2 is open or closed.

As shown in Figure 7, the control unit 3 comprises a control unit 31 with microcomputer functions that control each component; a communication unit 32 with an antenna and external connection terminal for communicating with external information terminals such as those of the waterworks bureau or users; an operation display unit 33 for displaying various control displays and performing various operations; and a timer unit 34 that measures the time water has flowed, etc.; and is electrically connected to a measurement unit 131 that has a flow rate sensor and pressure sensor for the water meter 1, and to a valve 2 that has a drive motor 231.

[Functions of control unit 3]
The various functions of the control unit 31 of the control unit 3 in the water meter unit 10 will be specifically described below.

The control unit 31 has a valve control function 31A that controls the drive unit 23 to open and close the valve 2, a water leak detection function 31B that detects water leaks, a mode switching function 31C that switches between continuous use mode and water leak detection mode, and a data transmission function 31D that transmits various data from the water meter unit 10 (water flow rate, water pressure, flow direction, remaining battery charge, open/closed state of the valve 2, etc.).

Regarding the valve control function 31A, when the control unit 31 receives an instruction to turn on or off water from the waterworks information terminal 20 or the user information terminal 30, it controls the drive unit 23 to open or close the valve 2 by rotating the ball plug body 22 about its axis in a specified direction or in the opposite direction in a horizontal plane via the rotation transmission mechanism 24.

Specifically, when water is being passed through, the control unit 31 commands the drive unit 23 to pass water, and as shown in Figure 4, the drive unit 23 rotates the ball plug body 22 about its axis by 90 degrees in a predetermined direction in the horizontal plane (counterclockwise when viewed from above in this embodiment) via the rotation transmission mechanism 24, thereby opening the valve 2 while aligning the axial direction of the flow hole 221 of the ball plug body 22 with the water flow direction.

When the control unit 31 commands the drive unit 23 to stop the water flow, as shown in Figure 5, the drive unit 23 rotates the ball plug body 22 by an angle of 90 degrees in the opposite direction in the horizontal plane (clockwise when viewed from above in this embodiment) via the rotation transmission mechanism 24, thereby closing the valve 2 while intersecting the axial direction of the flow hole 221 of the ball plug body 22 with the water flow direction.

Next, the water leak detection function 31B will be explained. Based on the water flow rate measurement results from the water meter 1, the control unit 31 determines whether water has been flowing for a predetermined continuous usable time. If it determines that water has been flowing for a predetermined continuous usable time, it detects a water leak and notifies the waterworks information terminal 20 and/or the user information terminal 30 of the water leak via the network. With regard to this water leak detection function 31B, the control unit 31 detects a water leak if, after starting use of the water supply (after detecting the water flow rate), the water flow rate does not reach zero even after the predetermined continuous usable time has passed.

The control unit 31 sets a predetermined continuous water usage time for leak detection in response to a command from the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and/or the user information terminal 30. This allows the waterworks bureau or the user to easily set the continuous water usage time for leak detection from their own information terminals 20, 30 via the network.

Next, regarding the mode switching function 31C, the control unit 31 has a continuous use mode in which water leak detection is not performed, and a water leak detection mode in which water leak detection is performed. When the continuous use mode is set, the control unit 31 allows continuous water use without detecting water leaks, while when the water leak detection mode is set, it executes the water leak detection function 31B described above. As a result, when the continuous use mode is set, the user can use the water continuously for long periods of time to prevent freezing, etc., while when the normal water leak detection mode is set, water leaks can be monitored.

The control unit 31 switches between continuous use mode and water leak detection mode in response to commands from the waterworks bureau's information terminal 20 and/or the user's information terminal 30. This allows the waterworks bureau and users to easily switch between continuous use mode and water leak detection mode from their own information terminals 20, 30 via the network.

The control unit 31 may also switch from continuous use mode to water leak detection mode when a predetermined switching time has elapsed in continuous use mode. This automatically switches from continuous use mode to water leak detection mode when the predetermined switching time has elapsed, even if continuous use mode is set. This prevents the device from forgetting to switch to continuous use mode and failing to detect a water leak.

Next, regarding the data transmission function 31D, upon request from the waterworks station information terminal 20 and/or the customer information terminal 30, various data from the water meter unit 10, such as the water flow rate measurement results from the water meter 1, the water pressure measurement results, and the open/close status of the valves, are transmitted to the waterworks station information terminal 20 and/or the customer information terminal 30.

[Water leak detection operation of this system]
Next, the operation of water leakage detection in this system will be described with reference to Figure 8. In the following description and drawings, "step" will be abbreviated as "S".

In the water meter unit 10, the control unit 31 determines whether the unit is in "water leak detection mode" (S1). If it determines that the unit is not in "water leak detection mode" (NO in S1), it switches to "continuous use mode" and allows continuous water use without detecting water leaks (S2). On the other hand, if it determines that the unit is in "water leak detection mode" (YES in S1), it switches to "water leak detection mode" and performs water leak detection (S3). Note that the control unit 31 may switch from continuous use mode (S2) to water leak detection mode (S3) when a predetermined switching time has elapsed in continuous use mode.

Then, based on the water flow rate measurement results from the water meter 1, the control unit 31 determines whether water has been flowing for a predetermined continuous usable time (S4). If it determines that water has been flowing for a predetermined continuous usable time (YES in S4), it detects a water leak (S5) and notifies the waterworks information terminal 20 and/or the user information terminal 30 of the water leak via the network (S6). On the other hand, if it determines that water has not been flowing for a predetermined continuous usable time (NO in S4), it repeats the process of S4.

Next, the waterworks information terminal 20 and/or the user information terminal 30 display on the display unit of the terminal that there is a possibility of a water leak (S7).

Then, after the waterworks bureau or the user confirms that there is a possibility of a water leak, the waterworks bureau or the user performs a specified operation, causing the waterworks bureau information terminal 20 and/or the user information terminal 30 to send a command to stop the water supply to the water meter unit 10 via the network (S8).

Next, in the water meter unit 10, when the control unit 31 receives a command to stop the water flow from the waterworks information terminal 20 or the customer information terminal 30, the drive unit 23 closes the valve 2 by rotating the ball plug body 22 about its axis in a predetermined direction in the horizontal plane via the rotation transmission mechanism 24 (S9).

In this embodiment, the valve 2 of the water meter unit 10 uses a ball plug 22, but other valves, such as an electromagnetic valve, may also be used.

In addition, the control unit 31 controls the valve 2 to close when it receives a command to stop the water supply via the network from the waterworks information terminal 20 and/or the customer information terminal 30 that notified it of the water leak. However, the control unit 31 may also control the valve 2 to close immediately upon detecting a water leak or after a predetermined closing time has elapsed. This allows the valve 2 of the water meter unit 10 to be closed quickly when a water leak occurs. Note that when the valve 2 is closed automatically in this way, the valve 2 can be opened by operating the waterworks information terminal 20 and/or the customer information terminal 30, or by operating a release button (not shown) provided on the water meter unit 10.

Furthermore, the control unit 31 is configured to be able to switch between continuous use mode and water leak detection mode using the mode switching function 31C, but it may also have only water leak detection mode.

The control unit 31 may also detect a water leak when it determines that water at a flow rate below a predetermined level has been flowing through the water for a predetermined period of continuous use. This allows for accurate detection of a water leak when a small amount of water is leaking, such as when the water faucet is not closed properly or when part of the water pipe is damaged.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same scope as the present invention or within an equivalent scope.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Water meter 11...Inlet port 12...Outlet port 13...Meter body 131...Measuring unit 132...Display unit 133...Meter cover 2...Valve 21...Valve body 211...Inlet opening 212...Outlet opening 213...Upper opening 214...Ball seat 22...Ball plug body 221...Flow hole 23...Drive unit 231...Drive motor 232...Reduction gear 233...Case 24...Rotation transmission mechanism 241...Rotating shaft 242...Cover pipe 3...Control unit 31...Control unit 32...Communication unit 33...Operation display unit 34...Timer unit 35...Power supply battery 4...Flowing water pipe 10...Water meter unit 20...Waterworks bureau side information terminal 30...User side information terminal 40...Server

Claims (7)

A water meter unit control system in which a water meter unit is connected to a waterworks bureau information terminal and/or a user information terminal in a communicable state via a network,
The water meter unit includes a water meter that measures the flow rate of water flowing through the waterworks, a valve that is provided on the waterworks upstream or downstream of the water meter, and a control unit that controls the water meter and the valve,
The control unit determines whether water has flowed for a predetermined continuous usable time based on the water flow rate measurement result by the water meter, and if it determines that water has flowed for a predetermined continuous usable time, detects a water leak and notifies the waterworks bureau information terminal and/or the user information terminal of the water leak via a network;
The control unit has a continuous use mode in which water leakage detection is not performed and a water leakage detection mode in which water leakage detection is performed,
In continuous use mode, water is allowed to be used continuously without detecting water leaks.
In the water leak detection mode, the water meter unit control system determines whether water has flowed through the tap for a predetermined continuous usable time based on the water flow rate measurement results by the water meter, and detects a water leak if it determines that water has flowed through the tap for a predetermined continuous usable time . The water meter unit control system of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the valve to close when it receives a command to stop the water supply via a network from the waterworks information terminal and/or the user information terminal that notified the water leak. The water meter unit control system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the valve to close immediately upon detecting a water leak or after a predetermined closing time has elapsed. A water meter unit control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit sets the continuous water use time for detecting water leaks in response to a command from the waterworks information terminal and/or the user information terminal. 5. The water meter unit control system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit switches from the continuous use mode to the water leak detection mode when a predetermined switching time has elapsed in the continuous use mode. 6. The water meter unit control system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit switches between a continuous use mode and a water leak detection mode in response to a command from the waterworks bureau information terminal and/or the user information terminal. 7. The water meter unit control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects a water leak when it determines that water at a flow rate below a predetermined flow rate has flowed through the water supply for a predetermined continuous usable time.