JPH0730920B2 - 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 A conventional gas shutoff device of this type is as shown in FIG.
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 a total flow rate set according to the capacity of each gas meter, an individual maximum flow rate, and a safe continuous use time. 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. What is the individual maximum flow rate?
By detecting the change in gas flow rate every predetermined counting period, it is possible to identify how many kinds of gas appliances are currently used and how much gas consumption each is, and the maximum gas consumption among them exceeds the set value. In this case, 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 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, and the data from the usage state detection part is the set time. When it exceeds the limit, an operation signal is sent to the shut-off device to ensure safety even if you forget to turn off the gas appliance.

With the above-described configuration, when the activation signal is applied to the timer, counting for a predetermined period is started, and at the same time, the gas use pattern during the period is measured by the operation of the use state storage / calculation unit. That is, during this period, the measured values of the total flow rate, individual maximum flow rate, continuous use time, etc. described above are updated, and at the same time as the timer ends, the final data is multiplied by a predetermined value in the use state storage calculation unit to properly use gas. It is sent to the condition setting change section. The gas proper use condition setting changing unit compares the initial condition with the data of the storage operation unit to newly set a predetermined gas proper use condition. Thereafter, the proper use condition determination unit compares the new set 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 breaking means. (For example, Japanese Patent Application No. 61-248688) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above configuration, the gas consumption pattern of each gas meter installation user within the period when the timer is operating is grasped and individually. Appropriate usage conditions are set, but if the gas appliance is replaced or newly installed after the time-out, the above conditions are not always appropriate.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and always monitors the gas usage state even after the timer has finished operating, catches the gas consumption change in the meter-installed household, and automatically corrects it to the optimum optimum usage condition. This aims to provide a safer gas shutoff device.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the gas shutoff device of the present invention is
A flow rate measuring unit that emits a signal according to the amount of gas passing through a gas meter provided in the gas supply line, a usage state detection unit that detects a gas usage state from a flow rate signal sent from the flow rate measuring unit, and a proper gas usage An initial condition storage unit that stores conditions as initial values in advance; an appropriate use condition determination unit that outputs an interruption signal when the signal from the use state detection unit deviates from the gas proper use condition and outputs an interruption signal; A first timer that counts a predetermined period, a start signal applying means that starts the first timer, a signal from the usage state detection unit that stores the gas usage state during operation of the first timer, and A usage state storage computing unit that computes usage conditions based on the stored usage state, compares the output of the usage state storage computing unit and the initial condition, and sets a predetermined value to a new appropriate usage condition. And a proper use condition setting changing section for changing the setting, and when the proper use condition is changed by the proper use condition setting changing section, the changed proper use condition is multiplied by a predetermined value and an appearance rate observation area of a use state is provided. An appearance rate observation area calculation storage unit, a second timer that counts a second predetermined period, a time-up counting unit that counts the time-up output of the second timer, and to temporarily set appropriate use conditions. A provisional appropriate use condition calculation unit that calculates a signal of the usage state detection unit, and whether or not the signal of the usage state detection unit is included in the appearance rate observation area is determined.
And outputs a start signal to the temporary proper use condition calculation unit to cause the proper use condition setting change unit to output a provisional setting signal to the provisional proper use condition calculation unit, and a predetermined time from the time-up counting unit. The second timer is restarted until a signal of the number of times is input, and the gas usage state that enters the appearance rate observation area for each second timer operation period is stored, and further, the stored usage state is stored. A usage state storage calculation unit for calculating the usage conditions based on the usage rate storage unit, an appropriate usage condition temporary storage unit for storing the current appropriate usage conditions, and a gas passage according to a cutoff signal from the appropriate usage condition determination unit. It is provided with a configuration of a blocking means for blocking.

The present invention has the above-described configuration, detects the actual gas consumption pattern during the period in which the first timer operates, and sets the proper use condition of the meter-installed household based on the data, and at the same time after the timeout. The gas use condition entering the appearance rate observation area is constantly monitored, and when a signal first enters the appearance rate observation area, the proper use condition is provisionally set from the signal and at the same time the second timer is activated a predetermined number of times. , The usage condition is calculated based on the gas usage condition that enters the appearance rate observation area for each timer measurement period, and the gas proper usage condition is newly reset from the result, or is returned to the previous proper usage condition. . Even after that, it is determined whether or not the gas should be shut off, and the monitoring of the gas usage state entering the appearance rate observation area is continued.

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

In FIG. 1, those having the same numbers as those in FIG. 8 are components having the same function. However, the first timer of 10 is 5
It has the same function as the timer. Further, the present gas shutoff device includes a proper use condition setting changing unit 11 that compares the output of the use state storing / calculating unit 7 with an initial condition and changes a predetermined value as a new proper use condition, and the proper use condition setting changing unit.
When the proper use condition is changed in 11, the appearance ratio observation area calculation storage unit 12 that multiplies the changed proper use condition by a predetermined value as the appearance ratio observation area in the use state, and counts the second predetermined period A second timer 13, a time-up counter 14 for counting the time-out output of the second timer, and a provisional proper use condition calculation for performing an operation on the signal of the use state detection unit to provisionally set the proper use condition. The unit 15 determines whether or not the signal of the usage state detection unit has entered the appearance rate observation area, and outputs a start signal to the second timer at the time of the first entry, and also the temporary proper use. A start signal is output to the condition calculation unit to cause the proper use condition setting changing unit to output a temporary setting signal, and the second timer is restarted until a predetermined number of signals are input from the time-up counting unit. Let it go further The state of gas usage that enters the appearance rate observation area for each second timer operation period is stored in
It is composed of an appearance rate observation area use state storage calculation unit 16 for calculating use conditions based on the above-mentioned use state, and a proper use condition temporary storage unit 17 for storing current proper use conditions. In the above configuration, the proper use condition setting changing unit 11
Means that the current proper use condition is temporarily stored in the proper use condition temporary storage unit 17 when the provisional setting signal from the provisional proper use condition calculation unit 15 is input.
And a setting state of the temporary setting signal as an appropriate use condition, and then a use state storage operation unit of the appearance rate observation area.
The appropriate use condition is changed according to the signal from 16 or the signal from the temporary storage unit 17.

This situation will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

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 cross mark represents the observed data. Also, the alternate long and short dash line is the maximum limit value. The time T1 from time t1 to t2 on the horizontal axis represents the time period of the first timer, and the safety factor k (for example, the safety factor k is added to the maximum data p1 of the gas usage state observed within the period).
The usage condition M2 is calculated by multiplying k = 1.5). That is, the proper use condition in the period of T1 is M1 which is the same as the maximum limit value, and at time t2, M1 is compared with M2 of the calculation result,
The smaller M2 is newly set as a proper use condition. At the same time, the lower limit level L2 is calculated in order to obtain the appearance rate observation area to be monitored. In other words, the area from L2 to M2 is the appearance rate observation area. After that, when the gas use state exceeds M2, the proper use condition determination unit determines that there is an abnormality and outputs a shutoff signal to activate the shutoff means.

At time t3, the data p2 exceeds the level L2 and is within the appearance rate observation area. Here, multiply the data p2 by the safety factor k
M3 is calculated and proper use conditions are provisionally set. At the same time
The second timer starts clocking, and M2 is stored in the proper use condition temporary storage section. The period T2 until the time t4 is the time period of the second timer. The appearance rate observation area during the period of T2 is from L3 to M3, and L3 = L2 remains. During this first T2 period, data p2
Is included. At time t4, the time-up counting unit counts up.

Also, the second timer restarts at time t4, and at time t5
In the period T2 up to, the data that falls within the appearance rate observation area will be observed as above. In the second period, the data p3 appears. At time t5, the time-up counting unit further counts up, and the number of times is 2.

Then, at time t5, the second timer restarts, and the same operation as above is performed during the period T2 until time t6. This third
In the second period, the data p4 appears. At time t6, the time-up counting unit further counts up, and the number of times becomes 3. This number corresponds to the predetermined number in this embodiment.

That is, since the data in the appearance rate observation region were generated in each of the three T2 periods, the condition for changing the proper use condition was satisfied. Therefore, when the time-up counting unit counts a predetermined number of times, the observed maximum value p4 is multiplied by the safety factor k to obtain M4, and the proper use condition is newly reset. Further, the lower limit level L4 is calculated in order to obtain a new appearance rate observation area. After t6, the same data monitoring as described above is continued.

Here, the condition for changing and resetting the proper use condition is that the data in the appearance rate observation region is observed at least once in each operation period T2 of the second timer, and the second
It was decided that the timer operation described in (1) occurred continuously a predetermined number of times. In this method, for example, T2 is set to 24 hours, which is also the minimum unit of human life patterns, and changes in gas usage patterns are to be found by observing the data generation status every 24 hours, that is, every day. Therefore, if a change in the gas usage pattern is observed continuously for a predetermined period (for example, three times in 24 hour units, that is, three days),
It is determined that the gas consumption has increased steadily due to new gas appliances being purchased or replacements, and the appropriate usage conditions are changed.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an operation example when the gas consumption temporarily increases.

In Fig. 3, the second timer was restarted at time t4, but no data that entered the appearance rate observation area was observed during the period T2 until time t5. An example in which the setting is canceled and the original proper use condition is restored will be shown. That is, since the data in the appearance rate observation area has not been generated within the second T2 period, the change condition is not satisfied.
Therefore, the usage condition M2 stored in the appropriate usage condition temporary storage unit is reset as the appropriate usage condition M5 again. Therefore, the lower limit level L5 of the appearance rate observation area is the same as L2. Here, an example in which the data in the appearance rate observation area is not generated in the second T2 period is shown, but even when it is not generated in the third time, it is stored in the similar appropriate use condition temporary storage unit. The use condition M2 is set again as the proper use condition M5.

In this way, when the gas usage amount has temporarily increased without reaching the proper usage condition, the appropriate usage condition, which is the cutoff judgment level, is temporarily increased, and the increase in gas consumption is observed. When they are no longer used, the proper use conditions are restored to their original values. For example, when cooking more than usual at an event, when you borrow several gas stoves and cook at the same time for one day, the gas consumption temporarily increases, but the event ends. As soon as it reaches the usual gas consumption. In such a case, by performing the operation as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to ensure the safety of gas utilization without blocking the gas, that is, without impairing the usability.

According to the gas shutoff device of the present invention as shown in the above embodiment, it is possible to automatically identify whether it is a fixed one or a temporary one when a gas appliance is added, It is possible to secure the safety in using gas and not to reduce the usability.

By the way, a predetermined number of times to be counted by the time-up counter may be selected according to each interruption condition.

In the above, the calculation result Mn of the usage condition was used as it was for comparison with the appropriate usage condition, but from the fixed plurality of appropriate usage conditions, the one with the closest level of Mn or more was selected and compared. There is also a method.

Further, the lower limit level Ln of the appearance rate observation area may be set by multiplying the proper use condition Mn by a predetermined rate (for example, 80% of Mn), or may be set to a fixed value according to the level of Mn. .

The above contents can be easily realized by using the calculation and judgment functions by the program operation of the microcomputer or the like. The schematic program flow is shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 below.

In FIG. 4, when the program starts, an initial value is set as the gas proper use condition at 55, then the flow rate is measured at 18, and the use condition of the gas as described above is detected at 19. Then, at 20, it is determined whether or not the first timer for measuring the first predetermined period is counting, and when it is counting,
At 21, the usage status of the gas is memorized. That is, the maximum value of the usage state of the gas corresponding to each usage condition is stored and updated. If it is not counting, at 22 it is determined whether or not the second timer for measuring the second predetermined period is counting, and if it is counting, at 23, the gas usage state in the appearance rate observation area is stored. Go. In addition, when it is not counting at 22 and after passing through 21 and 23, at 24, each gas proper use condition is determined. In 25, when the result of the determination in 24 is abnormal, it branches to 26 and outputs a cutoff signal. When it is not abnormal, it is checked at 27 whether or not the proper use condition setting changing section has been operated by the output of the use state storing / calculating section, and the process branches to when it has been operated and to when it has not been operated.

The branch contents in FIG. 5 will be described. At 28, it is judged whether or not the first timer count is over, and when it is over, at 29, the output of the operating condition storage arithmetic unit is compared with the initial condition, the smaller one is selected, and at 30 the proper operating condition setting is changed. I do. 31
Then, the lower limit level Ln is calculated in order to obtain the appearance rate observation area of the changed appropriate use condition. If the timer count is not completed at 28, the process branches to 32, and the first
It is determined whether the timer of is currently counting.
If it is counting, continue counting as it is at 33,
If it is not counting, the presence or absence of a start signal is determined at 34. When the activation signal is input, the timer count is started at 35. In addition, when there is no start signal and after passing through 31, 33, and 35, the flow returns to and the program processing is continued from the flow rate measurement of 17.

The branch contents of will be described with reference to FIG. At 36, it is determined whether or not there is a predetermined number of count-up outputs from the time-up counter, and if there is an output, the process branches to 37, and if there is no output, the process branches to. At 37, it is determined whether or not the conditions for changing the proper use conditions as described above are satisfied, and when they are satisfied, at 38, the proper use conditions are changed based on the result of the use state memory calculation unit in the appearance rate observation area. To do. Then, the calculation storage of the appearance rate observation area is performed at 39 based on the changed appropriate use condition. At 40, reset the second timer, then 41
Then, the time-up counting unit is reset and the process returns to. If the condition is not satisfied at 37, the condition is returned to the proper use condition stored in the temporary storage unit at 42, and then the process branches to 40.

In FIG. 7, at 43, it is determined whether or not the second timer has finished counting, and when it finishes, at 44, the time-up counting section counts up. 45 determines whether or not the usage rate of the appearance rate observation area has occurred in the current timer period T2 that has just been timed up, and if it occurs, the usage status of the appearance rate observation area in the current timer period T2 is determined in 46. Remember. Then, 47
Reset the second timer with and restart the second timer with 48. If it does not occur at 45, branch to (6). In 43, when the timer count is not finished, the process branches to 49 to determine whether or not the second timer is currently counting. If it is counting, it continues to count as it is at 50, and if it is not counting, it is determined at 51 whether the usage state of the appearance rate observation area has occurred. If it occurs, the second timer starts counting at 52, and the current proper use condition is temporarily stored at 53. Then, at 54, the setting of the proper use condition is changed by the provisional proper use condition calculation unit output. If it does not occur at 51, or after passing through 48, 50, 54, return to and continue the program processing from the flow rate measurement at 17.

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

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the appearance rate observation area is set to a predetermined range below that including the proper use condition. However, in addition to the appearance rate observation area, a data generation check level is provided further below, and data of the above level or higher is provided. If does not occur for a predetermined period, the program may be initialized and restarted from the first timer operation.

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

(1) By constantly monitoring the gas usage state and comparing it with the set appropriate usage conditions, it is possible to detect gas leaks and combustion extinction. If the conditions are exceeded, it is judged that there is an abnormality. 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 activation 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 degree of safety against a gas accident, because individual special conditions are also taken into consideration in the determination, in comparison with the conditions that are uniformly determined by the gas meter capacity (number). Furthermore, even after the first timer times out, the appearance rate observation area is set and the data is constantly monitored. When the data enters the observation area, provisional proper use conditions are set and the second timer is set a predetermined number of times. Operate and perform data measurement for each timer period, and if the change condition is satisfied, the proper use condition is reset, so the gas appliance may be replaced or
Even in the case of new installation, as shown in Fig. 2, it is automatically the optimum use condition (eg, equivalent to M4 in Fig. 3).
Can be modified to Further, as shown in FIG. 3, temporary setting (for example, corresponding to M3 in FIG. 3) is dealt with to temporarily increase the gas flow rate, and the proper use condition is not easily changed. It has the effect of further improving usability.

(2) In addition to the appearance rate observation area in a predetermined range below that including the proper use condition, a data generation check level is set further downward, and when data above the level does not occur for a predetermined period, By initializing the program and restarting from the first timer operation, it is possible to automatically cope with a decrease in gas appliances and replacement of appliances with a smaller amount of combustion. There is.

[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 FIG. 3 is a proper use according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing changes in conditions with time, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic program flow in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a continuation of the program flow of FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a continuation of the flow, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a continuation of the program flow of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a conventional gas shutoff device. 1 ... Flow rate measuring means, 2 ... Usage state detection section, 3 ... Initial condition storage section, 4 ... Proper usage condition determination section, 6 ... Start signal application means, 7 ... Usage state storage / calculation section, 9 ...... Shut-off means, 10 ...... First timer, 11 ...... Appropriate use condition setting change section, 12 ...... Occurrence rate observation area calculation storage section, 13 ...... Second timer, 14 ...... Time-up counting section, 15 …… Temporary appropriate use condition calculation unit, 16 …… Used state storage operation calculation unit for appearance rate observation area, 17 …… Proper appropriate use condition temporary storage unit.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── 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 Inside the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Laboratory (72) Inventor Mitsuo Namba 2-16-4 Tadao, Machida-shi, Tokyo High-pressure gas Inside the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Institute (72) Inventor Reihei Uematsu 2-chome, Tadao Machida, Tokyo No. 16-4 High Pressure Gas Safety Association Liquefied Petroleum Gas Research Center

Claims (1)

[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 for counting a first predetermined time, a start signal applying means for starting the first timer, and a signal from the use state detection unit stores a gas use state during operation of the first timer. And a use state storage operation unit that calculates use conditions based on the stored use state,
The proper use condition is changed by the proper use condition setting changing unit that compares the output of the use state storage operation unit with the initial condition and changes the setting of a predetermined value as a new use condition, and the proper use condition is changed by the proper use condition setting changing unit. At this time, an appearance rate observation area calculation storage unit that multiplies the changed appropriate use condition by a predetermined value to obtain an appearance rate observation area in a use state, a second timer that counts a second predetermined time, and the second timer A time-up counting unit that counts the time-out output, a provisional proper use condition calculation unit that calculates the signal of the use condition detection unit to provisionally set the proper use condition, and the use state detection unit in the appearance rate observation area. Whether or not the signal has entered, and outputs a start signal to the second timer at the time of the first entry, and the provisional proper use condition setting change unit temporarily outputs to the proper use condition setting change unit. Setting signal Outputs a start signal to be outputted, and re-start the second timer from the time-up counting section to a signal of a predetermined number of times is input,
Furthermore, a usage state storage calculation unit for the appearance rate observation area, which stores a gas usage state that enters the appearance rate observation area for each operation period of the second timer and calculates usage conditions based on the stored usage state, An appropriate use condition temporary storage unit that stores the current appropriate use condition and a shutoff unit that shuts off the gas passage in response to a shutoff signal from the appropriate use condition determination unit are provided. When the provisional setting signal from the proper use condition calculating unit is input, the current proper use condition is stored in the proper use condition temporary storage unit, and the appearance rate observation is performed when the setting of the provisional setting signal is changed as the proper use condition. Signal from the operating state storage operation part of the area, or
A gas shutoff device for setting and changing proper use conditions according to a signal from the proper use condition temporary storage section.