JP2002150459A - Adapter-type meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a meter capable of optionally introducing other useful functions in addition to the measurement functions provided inherently. SOLUTION: The meter carries out a measurement of an amount of gas, electricity or city water used and is provided with an interface part for carrying out communication with a plurality kinds of adapter parts for introducing additional functions, other than the measurement functions with which the meter is provided inherently.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an adapter type meter which can arbitrarily introduce other useful functions in addition to the metering function originally provided in the meter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, gas meters not only measure gas usage but also shut off valves for stopping gas supply, seismic detectors for detecting earthquakes, and pressure sensors for detecting a drop or a rise in gas supply pressure. In addition, it is required to include a determination unit for activating a security function based on sensor inputs from those sensors, a shutoff signal output unit for shutting off a shutoff valve, and a display unit for displaying an abnormality so that it can be externally confirmed. . Meters having such a function are called microcomputer meters and are widely used.

Further, a gas meter having a communication function section is manufactured, communication between the gas supplier and the gas meter is secured via a telephone line or a wireless device, and a gas meter is installed from a meter reading center installed on the gas supplier side. It also performs meter reading, remote control, and monitoring of security function operation. still,
These apply not only to gas meters but also to meter meters for electricity and water.

[0004]

However, the contents of additional services in the gas supply business, the level of required communication functions, and the like may differ from customer to customer, and a gas meter provided with the additional functions corresponding to all of those needs. However, there is a problem that the cost of manufacturing the meter becomes extremely high.

For this reason, additional functions other than the weighing function have been introduced into the meter body via an adapter. However, since the meter main body and the adapter unit are manufactured on the premise that a specific function is added, only one additional function can be introduced to the meter after all.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object the purpose of providing, in addition to the inherent weighing function,
An object of the present invention is to provide a meter that can arbitrarily introduce other useful functions.

[0007]

A first characteristic configuration of the adapter type meter according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
A meter for measuring gas, electricity, or water usage as described in claim 1 in the claims section,
The meter is provided with an interface unit for communicating with a plurality of types of adapter units for introducing additional functions other than the weighing function originally provided in the meter.

[0008] A second characteristic configuration of the adapter type meter according to the present invention for achieving the above object is, in addition to the first characteristic configuration, as described in claim 2 of the claims. It is characterized by comprising at least one of the plurality of types of adapter units.

A third characteristic configuration of the adapter type meter according to the present invention for achieving the above object is the same as the first or second characteristic configuration as described in claim 3 of the claims. In addition, one of the adapter units is provided with an interface for connection with another adapter unit.

[0010] A fourth characteristic configuration of the adapter type meter according to the present invention for achieving the above object is as described in claim 4 of the claims. In addition to the characteristic configuration, one of the adapter units is a device for introducing a function of performing communication with the outside using a public line or wireless communication.

The operation and effect will be described below. According to the first characteristic configuration of the adapter type meter according to the present invention, since the meter is provided with the interface unit capable of communicating with a plurality of types of adapter units capable of introducing an arbitrary function to the meter itself, the device of the meter main body is provided. Without changing the configuration
A plurality of additional functions can be introduced at the same time, and the additional functions can be arbitrarily increased, decreased, or changed. Therefore, when it becomes necessary to introduce a new function to the meter, additional functions can be introduced by connecting a predetermined adapter unit via the interface unit without modifying the meter body. There is no need to develop a meter with various functions inside. There is no limitation on the function of the connected adapter,
Also, the number of adapter units to be connected is limited only to the number permitted by the interface unit.

According to the second characteristic configuration, the adapter type meter is provided with a specific adapter portion and is provided with an interface portion for communicating with a plurality of types of adapter portions. Features can be introduced directly. In addition, when the additional functions to be introduced to the meter main body are limited to several types in advance, the expandability can be broadened by providing only the adapter unit capable of introducing the additional functions to the meter main body. It is no longer necessary to provide an excessively large interface section.

According to the third characteristic configuration, when an adapter is further connected to the adapter, more adapters than the number of adapters directly connectable to the interface can be connected to the meter body. Thus, the same number of additional functions as those of the adapter section can be introduced to the meter.

According to the fourth characteristic configuration, since the communication function with the outside is introduced into the meter body by the adapter part, various information is taken in from the outside to the meter body, and the charge based on the meter reading value of the meter is taken. Various meter-related operations such as calculation, alarm transmission, and meter control (gas shutoff and opening) can be performed.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An apparatus configuration of an adapter type meter according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The adapter-type meter 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of types of adapter units 3 for introducing an additional function other than the metering function originally provided to the meter for measuring the amount of gas, electricity, or water used. It is configured to include an interface unit 2 for performing communication with the device. Although FIG. 1 shows a diagram in which one adapter unit 3 is connected to the adapter type meter 1, when adding a plurality of functions, the plurality of adapter units 3 are connected to the interface unit 2.
Can also be connected. In addition, as the adapter-type meter 1, a film-type meter, a fluidic-type meter, an ultrasonic-type meter, an electronic meter using another measurement principle, or the like can be used.

The basic functions of the adapter type meter 1 include a basic weighing function, a basic security function, a self-diagnosis function, and the like. The basic metering function is a function that simply measures the amount of gas, electricity, water, or the like used. Basic security functions
Excessive flow cutoff that shuts off the supply when the flow rate exceeds the threshold, pressure drop shutoff that shuts off the supply when the pressure falls below a certain value, seismic shutoff that shuts off the supply when an earthquake is detected, etc. Function. The self-diagnosis function is a function of diagnosing a voltage value of a battery provided as a power supply in the meter itself.

The configuration of the adapter unit 3 will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the adapter unit 3 includes a meter-side interface unit 4 connected to the interface unit 2 of the adapter-type meter 1, an additional function unit-side interface unit 6 connected to the additional function unit side, and It comprises a control unit 5 for controlling the operation of the unit and a power supply unit 7 for supplying electric power used inside the adapter unit 3. A battery is generally used for the power supply unit 7.

The control section 5 controls the operation of the meter-side interface section 4 and the additional function section-side interface section 6 and, if necessary, can perform arbitrary processing on the signals to be communicated. For example, when the signal format of the communication transmitted from the additional function unit is different from the signal format used in the adapter type meter 1, the signal transmitted from the additional function unit can be used in the control unit 5 by the adapter type meter 1. It is converted to a signal in signal format. Specifically, even if the communication between the additional function unit and the adapter unit 3 is in a signal format such as a telegram format or a contact signal format (electrical on / off signal format), a function to convert the signal format is provided. By passing through the control unit 5, the signal is converted into a common signal format that can communicate with the adapter type meter 1 and transmitted to the adapter type meter 1. Here, when communication is performed in the form of a message, more information can be transmitted by one message, and as a result, various controls can be performed. When communication is performed by the contact signal method, the signal is simple, so that the design of the adapter unit 3 can be further simplified.

Alternatively, when communication is performed between the additional function unit and the adapter type meter 1, the control unit 5 performs data communication speed conversion, so that, for example, the communication between the adapter type meter 1 and the adapter unit 3 is performed. It does not matter if the communication speeds are different, such as when the communication speed is low and the communication speed between the additional function unit and the adapter unit 3 is high. At this time, the control unit 5 buffers the communication data from the adapter type meter 1 in the memory unit, converts the communication speed appropriately, and transmits the communication data to the additional function unit. When transmitting communication data from the additional function unit to the adapter type meter 1, the reverse procedure is performed. The difference between the communication speeds with the adapter unit 3 interposed therebetween is to reduce the power consumption of the adapter type meter 1 and the adapter unit 3 during communication by making the communication between the meter and the adapter unit a low speed. This is because more information can be transmitted in a short time by increasing the communication speed between the adapter and the additional function unit.

Hereinafter, various configurations of the adapter unit 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. Adapter part 3 shown in FIG.
Are connected to the first control unit 5A and the second
It differs from the adapter unit shown in FIG. 1 in that a control unit 5B is provided. By using the photocoupler 8 to electrically insulate the first control unit 5A and the second control unit 5B and insulate the adapter-type meter 1 from the additional function unit, electrical noise from the additional function unit can be reduced. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent a surge voltage or the like from entering the adapter type meter 1.

The adapter section 3 shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a power conversion section 9 for converting the power supplied from an external commercial power supply into the power used in the adapter section 3 instead of the power supply section 7. I have. As a result, there is no need to mount a battery or the like, and the amount of power used by the adapter unit 3 is not limited by the capacity of the power supply unit 7 (for example, a battery).

The adapter unit 3 shown in FIG. 4 is configured by providing two systems, a system in which a power supply path is supplied from a power supply unit 7 and a system in which a power supply path is supplied from an external commercial power supply via a power conversion unit 9. It was done. In a normal use state, a power supply system to which power is supplied from an external commercial power supply via the power conversion unit 9 is used. However, the determination unit 10 determines that the power supply level has decreased due to an accident such as a power failure. In this case, power is supplied from the power supply unit 7. With the configuration shown in FIG. 3, stable power supply can be performed to the adapter unit 3 using the power supply unit 7 as a backup power supply. The power supply unit 7 mounted here may be a power supply unit having a minimum capacity capable of performing an essential function of the adapter unit 3 when the commercial power supply goes down. As a result, the cost is low. An adapter section can be provided.

The adapter section 3 shown in FIG. 5 includes a bus connection order determination section 11 and an adapter section side interface section 12.
Is further provided, so that it can be connected to the additional function unit and also to another adapter unit. When viewed from the interface unit 2, a plurality of types of adapter units 3 are connected in series. Go. The power supply unit described in FIGS. 2 to 4 can be used, and is omitted in the following drawings. Here, when a signal is transmitted from the adapter-type meter 1 to the additional function unit, the adapter unit in which the bus connection order determination unit 11 is installed is determined based on how many adapter unit-side interface units the signal has passed. Is determined in what order is connected. Another adapter unit can be connected to the adapter unit-side interface unit 12. Thereby, a plurality of functions can be introduced into the adapter type meter 1.

The adapter section 3 shown in FIG. 6 has a device meter 18 capable of measuring the gas usage (instantaneous flow rate, integrated flow rate, etc.) used by gas-using equipment (not shown).
Is installed for each gas-using device, and the usage amount is input to the adapter unit 3. The input data is stored in the device-specific usage amount memory unit 16. The stored data is in a state where it can be read out as needed, and the display unit 1
At step 7, the numerical value can be confirmed. The input usage data for each gas-using device is added up in the operation unit 15 to calculate the total flow rate of a plurality of connected devices. On the other hand, as for the adapter type meter 1, the flow rate in the adapter type meter 1 is stored in the meter flow rate memory unit 1.
3 is stored. The flow rate value in the meter flow rate memory unit 13 and the total usage amount calculated in the calculation unit 15 are compared in the comparison unit 14. If there is a large difference between the two, the flow from the adapter type meter 1 to each gas use device is determined. The control unit 5 determines that a gas leak has occurred in the pipes or that some abnormality has occurred, and the controller 5 issues an alarm display to the adapter-type meter 1, shuts off gas, and notifies the gas supply center. Outputs a signal as instructed. Note that, instead of calculating the total usage amount of each gas-using device, the usage amount of each device can be compared with the flow rate of the adapter-type meter 1.

The adapter unit 3 shown in FIG. 7 is characterized by having an equipment monitoring device 19 as an additional function unit. The device monitoring device 19 converts, for example, the amount of heat generated according to the operation status of the gas device or the like into a signal (thermoelectric conversion), and
Output to Next, the additional function unit side interface unit 6
Is transmitted to the arithmetic unit 15. The calculation unit 15 converts the electric signal into a gas flow value according to a predetermined conversion formula. The conversion formula can be derived by previously obtaining the relationship between the heat generated in the unit time (the temperature of the water or the surface of the container) and the gas flow value at that time. On the other hand, as for the adapter type meter 1, the flow rate in the adapter type meter 1 is stored in the meter flow rate memory unit 13. The flow rate value in the meter flow rate memory unit 13 and the gas flow rate value calculated in the calculation unit 15 are compared in the comparison unit 14, and if there is a large difference between the two, as described above, It is determined that a gas leak has occurred in the piping to the gas-using equipment or that some abnormality has occurred, and the control unit 5 displays an alarm on the adapter-type meter 1, shuts off the gas, and supplies the gas to the gas supply center. It outputs a signal instructing to report to. As described above, if the device monitoring device 19 is used, whether or not the device is operating is monitored based on the presence or absence of the generated heat. The device monitoring device 19 may be built in the device or may be additionally installed.

Although the signal corresponding to the operating condition has been detected and output, it is also possible to simply output an on / off signal indicating whether or not the device is operating. If the instrument meter 18 shown in FIG. 6 only monitors the usage, it is not strictly known whether the instrument is actually operating or the gas is leaking. It is possible to know whether or not the equipment is operating.

Although various configurations of the adapter unit 3 connected to the adapter type meter 1 via the interface unit have been described above, the adapter unit 3 may be built in the adapter type meter 1. it can.

Hereinafter, examples of additional function units connected to the adapter type meter 1 and the adapter unit 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 shows a case where a communication function is added to the adapter type meter 1 via the adapter unit 3. The communication function includes a communication function unit 20 and a terminal network controller (T-NCU).
21, but the T-NCU 21 can be replaced by a wireless device. With this configuration, a meter reading center (not shown) for centrally managing the weighing operation including the adapter type meter 1 and a wired or specific low-power wireless such as a public telephone line, or a wireless such as a PHS transceiver mode are provided. Data can be transmitted and received.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram in which a plurality of additional functions are introduced into the adapter type meter 1 using the adapter unit 3 shown in FIG. 8, a communication function unit 20 and a T-NCU 21 are connected in series, and an adapter unit 3A is connected in series to the adapter unit-side interface unit 12 of the adapter unit 3. Therefore, when viewed from the interface unit 2, a plurality of types of adapter units are connected in series. The alarm unit 22 as an additional function unit is connected to the adapter unit 3A. Therefore, the adapter-type meter 1 is provided with two additional functions: a communication function and an alarm interlocking control function represented by a function of shutting off gas when the alarm is activated. Next, a modified example of the configuration diagram shown in FIG. 9 is shown in FIG. It differs from the configuration diagram shown in FIG. 9 in that two adapter units 3, 3A are connected in parallel to the interface unit 2 of the adapter type meter 1 shown in FIG. As described above, by connecting a plurality of adapter units to one adapter-type meter 1, a plurality of additional functions can be installed in the adapter-type meter 1.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 9 except that the alarm 22 is replaced by a time zone meter reading value accumulator 23. Meter reading unit by time zone 23
Is a meter reading value memory unit 24 for storing meter reading values of the adapter type meter 1, a calculating unit 25 capable of performing calculations such as integrating meter reading values for a predetermined period, and a display unit 26 displaying calculation results. , A clock unit 28 that provides accurate time, and a time management unit 27 that uses the clock unit 28 to accurately select the meter reading timing.

When the time provided by the clock unit 28 coincides with a predetermined meter reading timing, the time management unit 27 requests a meter reading value to the adapter unit 3A. The adapter unit 3A that has received the meter reading request transmits the request to the adapter unit 3,
The meter reading of the adapter type meter 1 is performed. The obtained meter reading values are transmitted to the hourly meter reading meter integrating section 23 via the adapter section 3 and the adapter section 3A, and stored in the meter reading value memory section 24 together with the meter reading times. By repeating this, the meter reading value for each fixed time is stored together with the meter reading time.

When the user of the apparatus configured as described above inputs the start point time and the end point time, the meter reading value memory 24
Is calculated (for example, integrated) between the start point time and the end point time, and the calculated value is displayed on the display unit 26. Alternatively, it is also possible to automatically calculate every hour and set it to be displayed. As described above, the user can easily know his / her time period gas usage. Also, as described above, T-NCU
When the meter reading center side connected to 21 requests the meter reading integrated value, the request is transmitted to the hourly meter reading value calculation unit 23 via the communication function unit 20, the adapter unit 3, and the adapter unit 3A. . The calculation unit 25 calculates the meter reading value in the requested time zone, and transmits the meter reading integrated value to the meter reading center side via the reverse route to that described above. Similar to the relationship between FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the alarm 22 in FIG.

As described above, the additional function unit is changed to the adapter unit 3
And a configuration in which various additional functions are introduced into the adapter-type meter 1 by connecting the adapter unit 3 to the adapter-type meter 1 has been described. However, the adapter unit 3 may be built in the additional function unit. In that case, the additional function unit is directly connected to the adapter type meter 1.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a meter and an adapter unit.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an adapter unit in detail.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an adapter unit in detail.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an adapter unit in detail.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an adapter unit in detail.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an adapter unit in detail.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an adapter unit in detail.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a meter, an adapter unit, and an additional function unit.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a meter, an adapter unit, and an additional function unit.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a meter, an adapter unit, and an additional function unit.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a meter, an adapter unit, and an additional function unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Adapter type meter 2 Interface section 3 Adapter section 3A Adapter section 4 Meter side interface section 5 Control section 5A First control section 5B Second control section 6 Additional function section side interface section 7 Power supply section 8 Photocoupler 9 Power conversion section 10 Judgment Unit 11 Bus connection order determination unit 12 Adapter unit side interface unit 13 Meter flow rate memory unit 14 Comparison unit 15 Operation unit 16 Usage memory unit by device 17 Display unit 18 Instrument meter 19 Device monitoring device 20 Communication function unit 21 Terminal network control device (T-NCU) 22 Alarm 23 Meter reading value calculation unit by time zone 24 Meter reading memory unit 25 Calculation unit 26 Display unit 27 Time management unit 28 Clock unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Atsuko Kadowaki 4-1-2, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Shuichi Okada 4-chome, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 1-2 F-term in Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (reference) 2F073 AA07 AA08 AA09 AB02 AB12 BB01 BB09 BC02 DD02 GG01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A meter for measuring the amount of gas, electricity or water used, comprising an interface unit for communicating with a plurality of types of adapter units for introducing additional functions other than the metering function originally provided in the meter. Adapter type meter provided. 2. The adapter-type meter according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the plurality of types of adapter units. 3. The adapter type meter according to claim 1, wherein one of the adapter units has an interface for connection with another adapter unit. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the adapter units is a device for introducing a function of performing communication with the outside using a public line or wireless communication. Adapter type meter as described.