JPH0690652B2 - Gas shutoff device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas shutoff device that automatically shuts off a gas passage when an abnormality occurs to prevent an accident such as an explosion or poisoning caused by city gas or propane gas. Regarding

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 9, a conventional gas shutoff device of this type is as follows.
A flow rate measuring means 1 which emits a signal according to the amount of gas passing through a gas meter provided in the gas supply line, a use state detecting section 2 which detects a use state of gas by a flow rate signal sent from the flow rate measuring means, and a gas. An initial condition storage unit 3 that stores proper use conditions as initial values in advance, and an appropriate use condition determination unit 4 that outputs an interruption signal by determining that the signal from the use state detection unit deviates from the gas proper use condition. , A timer 5 for counting a predetermined period, a start signal applying means 6 for activating the timer, and a signal from the usage state detector for storing the gas usage state during the timer operation and for setting the stored usage state. The use state storage operation unit 7 which calculates the use condition based on the output is compared with the output of the use state storage operation unit and the initial condition, and a predetermined value is set as a new proper use condition. Further to proper use condition setting change unit 8
And a shut-off means 9 for shutting off the gas passage in response to a shut-off signal from the appropriate use condition judging section.

Here, the proper use condition indicates items such as total flow rate, individual maximum flow rate, and safety continuous use time set according to the capacity of each gas meter. The total flow rate is the total flow rate of the gas that passes through the gas meter within the specified measurement period.If the current total flow rate exceeds the specified value that was initially set when the gas hose was disconnected or the gas appliances burned out, it was judged as abnormal. Judgment is a use condition for operating the interruption device. The individual maximum flow rate is the maximum gas consumption among the various gas appliances currently in use by detecting the change in the gas flow rate for each predetermined measurement period, and identifying how much gas consumption each has. When the amount exceeds the set value, a shutoff signal is output to the shut-off device to deal with gas leaks such as cracks in the gas hose and burning out when the gas plug is half-opened. In addition, the safe continuous use time is
When the data from the usage condition detection unit exceeds the set time at the continuous usable time set for each range from the statistical data of the time when the gas appliance in a certain combustion range is continuously used, It sends an operation signal to ensure safety even if you forget to turn off the gas appliance.

The operation of the conventional example will be described with reference to FIG. The vertical axis shows the interruption level of each interruption condition, and the horizontal axis shows the elapsed time. When the activation signal is applied to the timer, counting of the predetermined time T is started, and at the same time, the gas usage pattern during the time is measured by the operation of the usage status storage / calculation unit. That is, during this time,
Measured values such as total flow rate, individual maximum flow rate, continuous use time, etc. are updated, and the final data is multiplied by a predetermined value in the usage state storage calculation unit and sent to the gas proper use condition setting change unit at the same time as the timer ends. Of. In this figure, the maximum value p1 of the observation data is multiplied by k at the end of the predetermined period.
In this gas proper use condition setting changing unit, the initial condition L1 is compared with the data L2 of the storage operation unit, and a predetermined gas proper use condition, here, the smaller L2 is newly set. Thereafter, the proper use condition determination unit compares the new setting condition with the signal from the use state detection unit, and if the condition is not satisfied, determines that the condition is abnormal and activates the shutoff means. (For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-108118) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above configuration, the gas consumption pattern of each user installing each gas meter within the period in which the timer is operating is grasped and individually. Appropriate usage conditions are set, but the shutoff condition during the timer measurement period is fixed as an initial value, and for users with a small amount of gas usage, the safety of gas shutoff is long-term (for example, timer Has a problem that the prescribed period of 2 weeks is not appropriate.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem by temporarily setting a cutoff condition from observation data in a short time period at the beginning of the timer operation, and then permanently setting the cutoff condition based on the data within the timer period. It is an object of the present invention to provide a safer gas shutoff device.

Means for Solving the Problems The gas shutoff device of the present invention for solving the above problems is a flow rate measuring unit that emits a signal according to a passing gas amount of a gas meter provided in a gas supply line, and the flow rate measuring unit. From the flow rate signal sent from the use state detection unit, an initial condition storage unit that stores gas proper use conditions as initial values in advance, and a signal from the use state detection unit indicates the gas proper use conditions. When it deviates, it is judged to be abnormal and an appropriate use condition determination unit that outputs a cutoff signal, a first timer that counts a first predetermined period, and a second predetermined period that is shorter than the first predetermined period are set to the second predetermined period. A second timer for starting and counting at the same time as the first timer; a start signal applying means for simultaneously starting the first and second timers; and a signal from the usage state detector for the first timer. Of the gas usage state during operation of the timer, and a first usage state storage / calculation unit for producing usage conditions based on the stored usage state, and a signal from the usage state detection unit for the second usage state storage unit. A second use state storage calculation unit for storing a gas use state while the timer is operating and calculating a use condition based on the stored use state; and a second use state storage calculation when the second timer count ends. The output of the unit is compared with the initial condition, and the predetermined value is set and changed as a new proper use condition. After that, at the end of the counting of the first timer, the output of the first use state storage operation unit is compared with the initial condition to determine the predetermined value. The configuration includes an appropriate use condition setting changing section for changing the setting again as an appropriate use condition, and a shutoff means for shutting off the gas passage in response to a shutoff signal from the appropriate use condition determination section.

Operation According to the present invention, the second timer starts counting at the same time when the first timer operates, and at the end of the second timer timing, the meter is installed based on the actual gas consumption pattern data. The proper use state of the home is provisionally set, the data observation is continued thereafter, and the proper use condition, that is, the cutoff condition is formally set based on the data during the time when the first timer time measurement ends.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the gas shutoff device of the present invention, and those having the same numbers as those in FIG. 9 are components having the same function. 10 is a first timer that counts a first predetermined period, 11 is a second timer that starts and counts a second predetermined period that is shorter than the first predetermined period at the same time as the first timer. is there. Reference numeral 12 is a start signal applying means for starting the first and second timers at the same time.
Is a first use state storage operation unit that stores a gas use state during operation of the first timer based on a signal from the use state detection unit and calculates use conditions based on the stored use state. Similarly, it is a second use state storage operation unit that stores a gas use state during operation of the second timer by a signal from the use state detection unit and calculates use conditions based on the stored use state. The reference numeral 15 compares the output of the second use state storage / calculation unit with the initial condition at the end of the second timer count, and changes the setting of a predetermined value as a new proper use condition, and then at the end of the first timer count, the first It is an appropriate use condition setting changing unit that compares the output of the use state storage operation unit with the initial conditions and changes the setting again with a predetermined value as the appropriate use condition. In the above configuration, the cutoff condition is provisionally set at the end of the second timer timing, and the cutoff condition is officially reset at the end of the first timer timing.

This situation will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time, and the vertical axis represents the proper use condition, that is, the level for each breaking condition. The x mark represents the observed data, that is, the usage state. Also,
The alternate long and short dashed line is the initial condition L1 (for example, the maximum limit value).
At time t1, the activation signal applying means is activated, and the first and second
The timer has started timing. The time from time t1 to t2 indicates the time period of the second timer, and is calculated by multiplying the maximum data p1 of the gas usage state observed within the time period by the safety factor k2 (for example, k2 = 2.0). The result is calculated, and the smaller one of the initial conditions, that is, the safe condition is provisionally set as the proper use condition L2. afterwards,
During the remaining time period t2 to t3 of the first timer, the cutoff level L2 is applied as a proper use condition. Time t3
When the time measurement of the first timer ends, the interruption condition is newly set on the basis of the data observed within the first predetermined period. That is, the maximum value p2 of the observed data is multiplied by the safety factor k1 (for example, k1 = 1.7 <k2 = 2.0) to calculate the calculation result, and the smaller one is compared with the initial condition (maximum cutoff level) as described above. L3 is reset as a proper use condition. This L3 is applied as a cutoff condition thereafter. The first predetermined period shown here is the time for grasping and observing the actual gas consumption pattern of the gas user,
About 2 weeks to 1 month is appropriate. Then, the second predetermined period is a short period immediately after the use of the present breaker, and it is suitable that it is about 1 to 3 days.

The above-mentioned contents can be easily realized by using a calculation or shut-off function by a program operation of a microcomputer or the like. Hereinafter, a schematic program flow is shown in FIGS.

In FIG. 3, when the program starts, an initial value is set as a gas proper use condition at 16, then a flow rate is measured at 17, and a use condition of the gas as described above is detected at 18. Then, at 19, it is determined whether or not the second timer for measuring the second predetermined period is counting, and when it is counting,
Use 20 to memorize the usage status of gas. That is, the second use state storage / calculation unit stores and updates the maximum value of the use state of the gas corresponding to each of the use conditions. After exiting 20 and when counting is not being performed at 19, it is determined at 21 whether or not the first timer for measuring the first predetermined period is counting, and when counting, the same as above. At 22
Memorize the usage status of gas with. Here, the first usage state storage / calculation unit executes the storage update. After passing through 22 and when counting is not being performed at 21, the determination of appropriate gas use conditions is made at 23. In 24, when the result of the determination in 23 is abnormal, it branches to 25 and outputs a cutoff signal. When it is not abnormal, it is checked at 26 whether or not the proper use condition setting changing unit has been operated by the output of the first use state storing / calculating unit, and the process branches to when it has been operated and to 27 when it has not been operated. At 27, by checking whether or not the proper use condition setting changing unit has been operated by the output of the second use state storing / calculating unit, the process branches to when it has been operated and to when it has not been operated.

The branch contents in FIG. 4 will be described. At 28, it is judged whether or not the first timer has finished counting, and at the time of termination, at 29, the timer counting is stopped, and at 30, a safety count (k1) is calculated based on the data of the first use state storage operation unit. Multiply to obtain the calculation result. Next, in step 31, the calculation result is compared with the initial condition, and the smaller one is selected to change the setting of the proper use condition. When the timer count is not completed at 28, the process branches to 32 to determine whether or not the first timer is currently counting. If it is counting, the counting is continued as it is at 33, and if it is not counting, the presence or absence of the start signal is determined at 34. When the activation signal is input, 35 and 36 start counting of the first and second timers, respectively. If there is no start signal, and
After passing through 31, 33, 36, return to and continue the program processing from the flow rate measurement of 17.

The branch contents of will be described with reference to FIG. At 37, it is determined whether or not the second timer has finished counting. At the time of termination, at 38, the counting of the second timer is stopped, and at 39, a safe counting (k2) is performed based on the data of the second use state storage operation unit. Multiply by to obtain the calculation result. Next, at 40, the calculation result is compared with the initial condition, and the smaller one is selected to change the provisional setting of the proper use condition. If the timer count is not completed at 37, the process branches to 41 to determine whether the second timer is currently counting. 4 if counting
At 2, 43, continue counting the second and first timers,
If not counting, branch to. After passing through 40 and 43, return to and continue the program processing from the flow rate measurement of 17.

By executing this program flow, the function of the gas shutoff device of the present invention can be realized.

Next, a functional block diagram of another embodiment of the gas shutoff device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same symbols as in Fig. 1
It is a component having the same function. Reference numeral 44 denotes a permissible maximum level determination unit, and whether the result of performing a predetermined calculation (multiplying the safety factor k1) on the signal from the use state detection unit during the operation of the first timer exceeds the permissible maximum level of the proper use condition. Appropriate use condition setting change section if it is judged whether or not it exceeds
In 45, the maximum allowable level is newly set as a proper use condition.

This situation will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the horizontal axis is elapsed time,
The vertical axis indicates the proper use condition, that is, the level for each breaking condition. The x mark represents the observed data, that is, the usage state. The alternate long and short dash line indicates the initial condition L1 (for example, the maximum limit value). At time t1, the activation signal applying means is activated, and the first and second timers start counting time. The time from time t1 to t2 indicates the time period of the second timer, and the maximum data p1 of the gas usage state observed within the period is a safety factor k2 (for example, k2 = 2.
The calculation result is calculated by multiplying by 0), and the smaller one compared with the initial condition, that is, the safe condition is provisionally set as the proper use condition L2. After that, the above-mentioned safety factor is added to the observation data.
Multiply by k1 at any time to check whether the maximum allowable level is exceeded or not, and if the calculation result exceeds, the appropriate maximum operating condition setting change section newly sets the maximum allowable level as a proper proper operating condition. Is. When the data p2 is generated at time t3, the allowable maximum level determination unit is activated, and the allowable maximum level L1 is set as the cutoff condition L3. Time t4
Is substantially meaningless if the maximum allowable level determination unit operates as described above at the timing when the first predetermined period T1 has elapsed.

Although FIG. 7 shows the state after the second predetermined period has elapsed,
The allowable maximum level determination unit may operate as described above within the second predetermined period. As described above, after the allowable maximum level determination unit operates, the normal data monitoring mode is set, and although not particularly shown, it is possible to apply another algorithm related to the cutoff level change.

The above contents can be easily realized by using the calculation and judgment functions by the program operation of the microcomputer or the like. In the following, FIG. 8 shows a part different from the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a schematic program flow.

If it is not abnormal at 24 in FIG. 3, it is determined at 46 whether the first timer has finished timing. If not, at 47 it is determined whether it has been changed by the allowable maximum level determination section. I will check. If it has not been changed, it is determined in 48 whether the calculation result of the observation data has reached the maximum allowable level, and when it is reached, the level of the proper use condition is changed in 49. If not reached at 48, branch to in Fig. 3. Further, when the count is completed at 46, when the count is changed at 47, and after exiting 49, the process branches to and continues processing.

By executing this program flow, the function of the gas shutoff device of another embodiment of the present invention can be realized.

In the above description, the second timer is actuated by dangling it from the first timer, but the first timer is actuated after the second timer finishes timing, and the maximum allowable level determination unit is set to the second timer. The same function can be obtained by applying the method while the timer alone is operating.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the gas cutoff device of the present invention has the following effects.

(1) Gas leakage and combustion extinction can be detected by constantly monitoring the gas usage state and comparing it with the set appropriate usage conditions. If the conditions are deviated, that is, it is judged as abnormal. In this case, the shutoff means is activated to stop the gas supply, so that it is possible to prevent a dangerous state such as gas explosion or gas poisoning. In addition, the start signal is used to observe the actual usage pattern of the gas supply system in which the gas meter is installed for the specified time of the first timer, and the maximum value is compared with the initial value to re-establish the specified value as an appropriate usage condition. Since the setting is made, it is possible to further increase the safety level against a gas accident, because the determination is made taking into account individual special conditions, as compared with the conditions that are uniformly determined by the capacity (number) of the gas meter. Further, even within the period of the first timer, the cutoff condition is provisionally set from the data of the second predetermined period which is a short period at the beginning of clocking, and the temporary setting level is applied for the remaining first predetermined period. By doing so, more safety can be secured. That is, for a user who consumes less gas, the cutoff condition is provisionally set at a level smaller than the maximum level according to the actual usage state.

(2) Even when the first or second timer is operating, if the result of multiplying each observation data by a predetermined safety factor for officially setting the cutoff level exceeds the maximum level, By officially setting the cutoff level at that point, the algorithm for changing the next cutoff condition can be applied quickly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a gas shutoff device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing changes over time in proper use conditions of the device, and FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are the same device. 6 shows a schematic program flow in FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a gas shutoff device in another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing changes in proper use conditions of the device over time, and FIG. 8 is The figure which shows a part of schematic program flow in the same device,
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a conventional gas shutoff device, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing changes over time in proper use conditions of a conventional example. 1 ... Flow rate measuring means, 2 ... Usage state detection section, 3 ... Initial condition storage section, 4 ... Proper usage condition determination section, 9
...... Short-cutting means, 10 ...... First timer, 11 ...... Second timer, 12 ...... Starting signal applying means, 13 ...... First use state storage arithmetic unit, 14 ...... Second use state storage Arithmetic unit, 15 ...
… Appropriate use condition setting change section, 44 …… Allowable maximum level judgment section.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Horii 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinzo Kato 2-16-4 Tadao Machida, Tokyo High-pressure gas Liquefied petroleum gas research institute of the Japan Security Association (72) Inventor Mitsuo Namba 2-16-4 Tadao Tokyo Machida No. 16 No. 4 High Pressure Gas Safety Association, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Laboratory (56) Reference JP-A-2-144609 (JP, A) JP-A-2-144608 (JP, A) JP-A-1-308575 (JP, A) JP-A-63-127018 (JP, A)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A flow rate measuring means for emitting a signal in accordance with an amount of passing gas of a gas meter provided in a gas supply line, and a usage state detecting section for detecting a gas usage state by a flow rate signal sent from the flow rate measuring means. And an initial condition storage unit that stores gas proper use conditions as initial values in advance, and a proper use condition determination unit that outputs a cutoff signal by determining that the signal from the use state detection unit is abnormal when the signal deviates from the gas proper use conditions. When,
A first timer that counts a first predetermined period; a second timer that starts and counts a second predetermined period that is shorter than the first predetermined period simultaneously with the first timer; Activation signal applying means for activating the first and second timers at the same time, and a signal from the usage state detection unit that stores the gas usage state during the first timer operation and that is used based on the stored usage state. A first usage state storage computing unit for computing conditions, and a signal from the usage state detection unit for storing the gas usage state during operation of the second timer, and usage conditions based on the stored usage state. And the output of the second use state storage operation unit at the end of the counting of the second timer and the initial condition, and a predetermined value is set as a new proper use condition. Then, at the end of counting the first timer, the output of the first use state storage / arithmetic unit is compared with the initial condition, and the proper use condition setting change unit for changing the predetermined value as the proper use condition again, and the proper use condition. A gas shutoff device comprising: shutoff means for shutting off a gas passage in response to a shutoff signal from a condition determination unit. 2. During the operation of the first timer, it is judged whether or not the result of carrying out a predetermined calculation on the signal from the usage state detecting section exceeds the maximum allowable level of the proper use condition, and if it exceeds the maximum level. The gas shutoff device according to claim (1), further comprising an allowable maximum level determination unit that newly sets an allowable maximum level as an appropriate use condition in the appropriate use condition setting changing unit.