JPH0428960B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a consumption data processing system for liquefied petroleum gas containers that can streamline the exchange and delivery of liquefied petroleum gas containers.

[Prior Art] As a supply system for liquefied petroleum gas (hereinafter referred to as LPG), the present applicant previously developed a consumption data transmission system shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1 is the used LPG container, 2 is the spare
The container is an LPG container, and an automatic switching regulator 3 is provided at the gas supply end of each container 1, 2, and a gas pipe 4 is connected to the supply end of the switching regulator 3, which is connected to the gas equipment at the end. .

The switching regulator 3 includes a pressure detection type switching valve;
It is a combination of sensors that detect switching operations of a pressure reducing valve and a switching valve, and the detection output of the sensor is inputted through a signal transmission line 5 to a repeater 6 that issues an alarm output. A telephone 7 is connected to the output end of the repeater 6, and the alarm output from the detection is transmitted as data to the gas supply source through the telephone 7.

Therefore, according to this system, a remote gas supply source can immediately know when the used container 1 is empty, and it is possible to plan LPG container delivery within the period when the spare container 2 is used. Can be done efficiently.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in reality, there are circumstances in which a gas supplier wants to simultaneously deliver containers to a large number of households depending on the delivery area.

Therefore, even if information is obtained that Container 1 is empty, delivery may be delayed due to the presence of the other Container 2, and there is a risk that the gas will eventually run out, resulting in a decline in service and delays in delivery planning. There was a fear that things would go awry.

This invention was made based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to be able to formulate the most rational delivery plan according to the replenishment request data, and to detect delivery errors, delivery omissions, etc. In particular, the purpose is to be able to eliminate gas shortages.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a solution to reduce the pressure of the used gas container, which has been used until now, from the spare gas container instead of the used gas container. a switching regulator that automatically switches to start gas replenishment; a replenishment start detection means provided in the switching regulator for detecting the start of gas replenishment; a switching knob that is manually switched when replacing a container; a container replacement detection means that detects container replacement by switching the switching knob; a container replacement signal from the container replacement detection means; and a gas output from the replenishment start detection means. It is characterized by comprising a post computer that transmits a replenishment start signal to the gas supply source through a telephone line.

[Function] In the present invention, when the pressure of gas in the use-side gas container that has been used so far decreases, gas replenishment is automatically started from the spare-side gas container prepared as a backup. As a result, what used to be a spare side gas container becomes a use side gas container and replenishes gas to gas equipment. At this time, a gas replenishment start signal is issued from the replenishment start detection means, and this A gas replenishment start signal is transmitted to the gas supplier via the post computer and telephone line.

Furthermore, when replacing a used container, the operator switches the switching knob each time. Then, a container replacement signal is generated from the container replacement detection means, and this container replacement signal is transmitted to the gas supply source via the post computer and telephone line.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail using the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an LPG supply system to which the present invention is applied.

In addition, in the drawings, the same parts as in the prior art will be described with the same reference numerals.

The repeater 20 in the figure has a function as a post-computer, and the repeater 20 is provided with a user code setting device, a clock circuit, and the like.

By inputting the detection output from the switching regulator 3 to the repeater 20, the repeater 20 detects whether the gas remaining in the gas container on the user side is truly zero (gas replenishment start signal) and that the gas container has been replaced (container replacement signal). The data of each signal along with the date and user code are sequentially transmitted to the gas supplier side through the telephone 7 and its telephone line 7a. A host computer 22 directly connected to the telephone line 7a is provided on the gas supply source side.

The host computer 22, as shown in FIG.
21, a CRT display 224, a printer 225, a keyboard 226, an alarm 227, and the aforementioned line 7a.

Then, the CPU 221 executes a predetermined calculation based on the data stored in the storage unit 222 and the input data using the program.

The stored contents of the storage unit 222 include user codes registered for each delivery area and previous data such as the previous delivery date corresponding to this user code.

The CPU 221 searches for the previous delivery date based on the transmitted user code signal, and determines the consumption trend per container from this value and the current date. If this consumption trend is abnormally higher than the previous data, an abnormality alarm will be output.
Since the consumption trends for each user are almost similar, the scheduled date of consumption of the remaining gas by the remaining container is calculated and the value is displayed on the CRT display 224.

Furthermore, the CPU 221 searches for the scheduled remaining gas consumption dates of other consumers in the same area, and calculates the scheduled delivery date, which is the greatest common divisor, according to the variations in these. This result is also similar to CRT display 22.
4 will be displayed. Further, these display contents can be printed out using the printer 225 as needed.

Note that the delivery date must be registered in the repeater 20 at the time of container delivery, or the delivery date can be registered in the host computer 2.
By registering through the keyboard 226 of No. 2, this data is registered in the storage section 222 as previous delivery data. Additionally, if there is a delivery abnormality, an alarm 227 will alert you so that you can take emergency measures.

Next, the detection means of the switching regulator 3 is shown in FIGS.
This will be explained using FIG.

In FIGS. 3a and 3b, a case 301 and an upper case 302 provided at the top of the switching regulator 3
The peripheral edge of a diaphragm 303 is fixed between them, and the space between each case 301 and 302 is airtightly divided into an intermediate pressure gas chamber G and an atmospheric pressure chamber A, and a spring 304 inserted on the atmospheric pressure chamber A side It maintains the balance with medium pressure gas chamber G.

A switching shaft 305 that moves up and down together with the diaphragm 303 extends through the center of the diaphragm 303 .

This switching shaft 305 has a function as a switching actuator, and its lower end is connected to a switching valve (not shown).

Further, the outer periphery of the protruding end of the switching shaft 305 from the upper case 302 is rotatably connected to an internally hollow switching knob 306. Furthermore, the protruding end of the switching shaft 305 is linked to a display body 307 that is swingably supported within the switching knob 306.

This display body 307 is located at the upper part when the switching shaft 305 is in the raised position, and swings downward as the switching shaft 305 descends due to a decrease in gas pressure. By facing the window 306a, the reduced pressure state of the gas can be visually confirmed through the display window 306a.

Furthermore, a magnet 308 as a detection actuator is built inside the display body 307. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a cover 302a is arranged around the shoulder of the upper case 302, and inside the cover 302a is a pair of leads that open and close the contacts when the magnet 308 comes and goes. A switch (replenishment start detection means) 309 is arranged.

Further, a pair of reed switches 309 at the shoulder portion
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, a tact switch (container exchange detection means) 310 is disposed between the switching knobs 306, that is, on the surface facing the normal position (switched position) of the switching knob 306. ing.

The lead wires 309a and 310a of the reed switch 309 and the tact switch 310 are bundled together and connected to the upper case 3 through a grommet 311.
02 , and each lead-out end is connected to the input/output end of the repeater 20 .

In the above configuration, the switching knob 306 is first directed toward one reed switch 309. When the display body 307 descends due to the pressure reduction in the intermediate pressure gas chamber G due to gas consumption, the magnet 308
When the reed switch 309 approaches, one reed switch 309 closes, and the switching shaft 305 starts replenishing gas from a spare side gas container (not shown) and transmits a gas replenishment start signal. Then, upon receiving this gas replenishment start signal, the repeater 20 outputs replenishment request data.

Based on this gas replenishment start signal, if the container is replaced as planned by the scheduled delivery date calculated by the host computer 22, the switching knob 306
is manually switched to the other reed switch 309 side, and the tact switch 310 senses this switching of the switching knob 306 and transmits a container exchange signal. Then, in response to this container exchange signal, the repeater 20 outputs delivery completion data, and the gas supplier receives this and determines whether the delivery is normal. However, if the container is not replaced at the delivery planning time, the host computer 22 will determine that there is an abnormal delivery and will issue an abnormal alarm from the alarm 227 or
CRT display 224 or printer 22
5. By displaying or recording, take emergency measures and eliminate gas shortages.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained in detail in the embodiments above, according to the present invention, the most rational container delivery plan can be created by sequentially receiving both the gas replenishment signal and the container exchange signal from the user side. In addition to eliminating gas shortages on the user's side and disruptions in the gas supplier's delivery plans.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an LPG supply system to which the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a host computer, and Figs.
Figure b is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the detection part of the switching regulator.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the - line in Fig. 3a, Fig. 5 is a plan view of the detection section, Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the main part of the tact switch section, and Fig. 7 is an explanation showing a conventional LPG supply system. It is a diagram. 1, 2...Container, 3...Switching regulator, 7...Telephone, 7a...Telephone line, 20...Repeater (post computer), 22...Host computer,
221...CPU (calculation means), 222...Storage unit,
227...Alarm, 305...Switching axis, 306...
...Switching knob, 308...Magnet, 309...
Reed switch (supply start detection means), 310...
...Tact switch (container replacement detection means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Switching adjustment that automatically switches to start replenishing gas from the standby gas container instead of the used gas container as the pressure drops in the used gas container that has been used up until now. a replenishment start detection means provided on the switching regulator and detecting the start of replenishment of the gas; a switching knob provided on the switching regulator and switched manually when replacing a used container;
A container exchange detection means detects the exchange of containers by switching this switching knob, and a container exchange signal from the container exchange detection means and a gas replenishment start signal from the replenishment start detection means are transmitted to the gas supply source through telephone lines, respectively. A consumption data processing system for liquefied petroleum gas containers, characterized by comprising a post-computer for processing.