Patent Description:
A conventional gas appliance failure diagnosis system includes a flow rate measuring device which detects an abnormality in a gas appliance based on a flow rate pattern obtained by measuring the flow rate of gas. The flow rate measuring device includes a new event detector which detects an unsteady behavior that is different from a behavior at a steady state at the time of operation of a gas appliance, and a transmitter which transmits a new event signal that represents the new event of the unsteady behavior detected by the new event detector to an external receiving device (see, for example, Patent Literature (PTL <NUM>)).

[PTL <NUM>] <CIT> <CIT> discloses a flow sensor with a high sampling rate in spite of low power consumption and a gas meter applying the same. The flow sensor installed in a flow path for a fluid is provided with pressure fluctuation detecting means arranged in the flow path for detecting pressure fluctuation in the flow path, and a flow detecting means arranged in the flow path and driven by the first sampling rate higher than before in response to pressure fluctuation detection of the pressure fluctuation detecting means. By this means, the flow detecting means with the high power consumption is usually driven by the lower sampling rate or stopped, and the pressure fluctuation detecting means with the low power consumption monitors the pressure fluctuation in the flow path. Once the pressure fluctuation is detected, the flow detecting means is driven by the higher sampling rate, which enables highly accurate detection of a flow rate waveform. Accordingly, the gas flow rate waveform when lighting a gas appliance or the like can be accurately detected while restraining the power consumption. Other examples of flow meter systems known from the prior art are disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT> with a gas flow meter in communication with a remote center device.

The present disclosure provides a gas appliance failure diagnosis system capable of providing an appropriate instruction to the user along with information such as an error display of a gas appliance and facilitating a repair work by obtaining detailed flow rate data when the gas appliance has a problem.

A gas appliance failure diagnosis system according to the present disclosure includes a gas meter which measures the flow rate of gas consumed by a gas appliance connected downstream of the gas meter, and a center device which obtains the flow rate measured by the gas meter through communication. Moreover, gas meter includes a flow rate meter which is capable of measuring the flow rate in one of a normal measurement mode in which the flow rate is measured in a predetermined sampling period and a detailed measurement mode in which the flow rate is measured in a sampling period shorter than the predetermined sampling period in the normal measurement mode. Moreover, the center device instructs the gas meter to measure the flow rate in the detailed measurement mode, collects the flow rate data measured in the detailed measurement mode from the gas meter, and generates failure diagnosis information for diagnosing a failure in the gas appliance based on the collected flow rate data. Moreover, a communication method performed between the center device and the gas meter is a direct communication using a telephone line, a cellular communication via a base station, or a method using a multi-stage relay for wireless communication between a wireless slave unit provided in the gas meter and a master unit and internet connection.

With such a configuration, the gas appliance failure diagnosis system according to the present disclosure is capable of remotely identifying the failure part in the gas appliance by obtaining the detailed gas flow rate data through communication when the gas appliance has a problem, facilitating the repair work.

Gas appliances which use gas are essential to daily life. In the case of an appliance failure, early repair of the appliance is desired. An equipped appliance, such as a gas water heater, needs to be repaired by a repair technician visiting the house where the appliance is installed, and needs to be repaired in a single visit. However, the repair technician has to be told of the failure status by telephone or the like from the user, and infer the cause of the failure only based on the failure status confirmed. The repair technician then brings the components deemed necessary to the site (where the gas water heater is installed) based on the inferred cause of the failure, and measures the gas flow rate, etc., to identify the specific failure part for repair.

A gas meter has been proposed which detects an abnormality in a gas appliance by measuring an instantaneous flow rate and detecting an unsteady flow rate pattern. Although the gas meter is capable of detecting signs of a failure, such as an ignition failure, the gas meter is not capable of identifying the specific failure part. Hence, a specific measure, such as a repair, cannot be appropriately taken.

In view of the above, the inventors have obtained the idea that the failure part of the gas appliance can be identified by using a gas meter to perform detailed measurement of the flow rate of the consumed gas of the gas appliance. However, the processing load for identifying the failure part is too heavy for the gas meter alone to perform analysis. The present disclosure has been conceived to address such a problem.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or duplicate explanations for substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of a gas appliance failure diagnosis system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, gas appliance failure diagnosis system <NUM> includes gas meter <NUM> and center device <NUM> which obtains, for example, meter values and shut-off information by communicating with gas meter <NUM>. Gas meter <NUM> is installed in each home, and <FIG> illustrates one of a plurality of gas meters <NUM>.

Moreover, gas meter <NUM> includes internal flow path <NUM> connected to upstream pipe <NUM> and downstream pipe <NUM>. Internal flow path <NUM> includes flow rate meter <NUM> which measures the flow rate of gas, shut-off valve <NUM> which shuts off gas, and pressure meter <NUM> which measures the pressure of gas. Gas appliances (first gas appliance <NUM>, second gas appliance <NUM>) such as a gas water heater and a gas fan heater are connected to downstream pipe <NUM>. Communication unit <NUM> communicates with center device <NUM> to transmit the flow rate of the gas measured by flow rate meter <NUM> and receive the instruction details from center device <NUM>. Controller <NUM> is realized by a microcomputer, and controls flow rate meter <NUM>, communication unit <NUM>, shut-off valve <NUM>, pressure meter <NUM>, and the like.

Center device <NUM> includes communication unit <NUM> which communicates with gas meter <NUM> and data analyzer <NUM> which analyzes the flow rate data of gas meter <NUM> obtained by communication unit <NUM>. Center device <NUM> is operated by gas company <NUM>. For example, a fee is charged to user <NUM>, and a response to an abnormality, such as a remote shutoff, is made based on the read value of gas meter <NUM> obtained by center device <NUM>.

The communication method performed between center device <NUM> and gas meter <NUM> is not particularly limited. An appropriate method can be selected according to the installation state of gas meter <NUM>, such as a direct communication using a telephone line, a cellular communication via a base station (not illustrated), and a method using a multi-stage relay for wireless communication between a wireless slave unit (not illustrated) provided in gas meter <NUM> and a master unit (not illustrated) and internet connection.

Next, a flow of failure diagnosis in the gas appliance failure diagnosis system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence flowchart of <FIG> with an example where first gas appliance <NUM> has a problem. In the following description, center device <NUM> also includes operations performed by gas company <NUM>.

Gas company <NUM> which operates center device <NUM> first receives a contact from user <NUM> about the problem of first gas appliance <NUM> by telephone or the like (step S101), confirms the details of the problem (step S101), and infers the cause of the problem (step S102). Subsequently, when gas company <NUM> determines that user <NUM> is able to deal with the problem (Yes in step S103), gas company <NUM> instructs user <NUM> how to deal with the problem (step S104). When the problem is solved by the instruction (Yes in step S105), the repair is completed (step S107).

When gas company <NUM> determines that user <NUM> is not able to deal with the problem (No in step S103), or when user <NUM> is not able to solve the problem and contacts gas company <NUM> to inform that the problem cannot be solved (Step S106) (No in step S105), conventionally, gas company <NUM> infers the failure part based on the information obtained by telephone or the like, and dispatches a repair technician to the site where first gas appliance <NUM> is installed.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the problem cannot be solved by user <NUM>, the failure part can be identified through measurement of the detailed flow rate data performed by gas meter <NUM>. Hereinafter, the processes performed when the problem cannot be solved based on the cause inferred in step S102 will be described.

First, gas company <NUM> gives, through center device <NUM>, an instruction to gas meter <NUM> installed at home of user <NUM> to measure the flow rate in a detailed measurement mode (step S108). In response to the instruction, gas meter <NUM> sets the measurement mode to the detailed measurement mode (step S111). Gas company <NUM> then requests user <NUM> to operate first gas appliance <NUM> (step S109).

When first gas appliance <NUM> starts an operation in response to the operation by user <NUM> (step S110), gas meter <NUM> measures the detailed flow rate of consumed gas of first gas appliance <NUM> (step S112) and stores the measured flow rate value in storage <NUM> in chronological order (step S113). When the required measurement of the flow rate data is completed, gas meter <NUM> transmits the stored flow rate data to center device <NUM> (step S114), and then sets the measurement mode to a normal measurement mode (step S115).

Center device <NUM> stores the flow rate data transmitted from gas meter <NUM> (step S116), analyzes the data based on the flow rate data and information on first gas appliance <NUM> (step S117), and generates failure diagnosis information of first appliance <NUM> (step S118). Subsequently, gas company <NUM> determines based on the failure diagnosis information whether or not user <NUM> is able to deal with the problem. When determining that user <NUM> is able to deal with the problem (Yes in step S119), gas company <NUM> instructs user <NUM> how to deal with the problem (step S120). When the problem can be solved by user <NUM> (Yes in step S121), the repair is completed (step S122).

Note that the information on the gas appliance used for analyzing the data in step S117 may include image data of the operating state of the gas appliance.

When gas company <NUM> determines that user <NUM> is not able to deal with the problem (No in step S119), or when user <NUM> is not able to solve the problem and contacts gas company <NUM> (step S123) to inform that the problem cannot be solved (No in step S121), gas company <NUM> determines a repair method (step S124), coordinates a repair schedule with user <NUM> (step S125), and visits the installation location of first gas appliance <NUM> with necessary components and the like for repair to repair first gas appliance <NUM> (Step S126).

Next, an operation of gas meter <NUM> will be described. Flow rate meter <NUM> of gas meter <NUM> is capable of measuring an instantaneous flow rate. Flow rate meter <NUM> includes two settable measurement modes which are a normal measurement mode in which the instantaneous flow rate is measured at a predetermined sampling period (for example, a sampling period of <NUM> seconds) with a reduced power consumption, and a detailed measurement mode in which the flow rate is measured at a sampling period (for example, a sampling period of <NUM> seconds) shorter than the predetermined sampling period in the normal measurement mode. Measurement mode setting unit <NUM> of controller <NUM> switches between the normal measurement mode and the detailed measurement mode, and normally sets the normal measurement mode.

When receiving an instruction for the detailed measurement mode in step S108 of <FIG> from center device <NUM> via communication unit <NUM>, measurement mode setting unit <NUM> sets the detailed measurement mode to flow rate meter <NUM>. Flow rate meter <NUM> then stores the flow rate data measured in predetermined period T in storage <NUM> in chronological order. Predetermined period T is a predetermined period or a period set by center device <NUM> to each gas appliance, and is set to a period which allows the cause of the failure of the gas appliance to be analyzed.

In addition, it is possible to minimize an increase in power consumption and reduce the memory usage by determining the start of the operation of the gas appliance based on presence or absence of the flow rate of gas, starting the detailed measurement mode after gas starts to flow, and storing the flow rate data in storage <NUM>.

When the measurement is completed, measurement mode setting unit <NUM> sets the measurement mode to the normal measurement mode, and transmits the flow rate data stored in storage <NUM> to center device <NUM> via communication unit <NUM>.

In parallel with the flow rate measurement, pressure meter <NUM> may measure the pressure, and the pressure data measured by pressure meter <NUM> may be transmitted to center device <NUM> together with the flow rate data.

Next, an operation (after step S116 in <FIG>) of the method performed by center device <NUM> to identify the failure part will be described.

When receiving the flow rate data and the pressure data from gas meter <NUM>, communication unit <NUM> of center device <NUM> stores the data in data storage <NUM> of data analyzer <NUM>. Appliance information storage <NUM> of data analyzer <NUM> holds information on gas appliances (information on each model and product number of gas appliances, for example, flow rate characteristics of consumed gas in normal and abnormal states). Failure diagnosis information generator <NUM> of data analyzer <NUM> processes the flow rate data stored in data storage <NUM> into a flow rate graph, a table, or the like as failure diagnosis information and outputs the data. Alternatively, failure diagnosis information generator <NUM> may compare the flow rate characteristics of consumed gas stored in appliance information storage <NUM> with the flow rate characteristics of consumed gas received from gas meter <NUM>, process a change in flow rate in a normal state and a change in flow rate in the currently obtained flow rate data into a flow rate graph or the like as failure diagnosis information, and output the data. When the pressure data is also available, the data is processed into a graph or the like and output in a similar manner.

Accordingly, gas company <NUM> is capable of determining whether or not the gas appliance has a failure and identifying the failure part based on the failure diagnosis information and the information on the gas appliance (details of the problem, etc.) obtained from user <NUM>.

In addition, when the error display details of the gas appliance, a photograph or video showing the state of the combustion flame, the sound at the time of ignition, etc. can be obtained as the information on the gas appliance obtained from user <NUM>, the failure part can be identified more reliably.

Gas company <NUM> then coordinates a repair visit schedule with user <NUM> based on the identified failure part.

<FIG> illustrate examples of the flow rate characteristics of consumed gas of a gas appliance (for example, a water heater). <FIG> illustrates the flow rate characteristics in a normal state in which the flow rate reaches the maximum flow rate (B) after a gentle ignition (A), and becomes the stable region (C). <FIG> illustrates the flow rate characteristics when a gentle ignition cannot be made, and a state in which the state where the gentle ignition cannot be made within the operating time of the igniter is continued a plurality of times before stop. <FIG> illustrates a state in which no gas is supplied.

Accordingly, gas company <NUM> compares the flow rate graph generated by failure diagnosis information generator <NUM> of center device <NUM> with the characteristic data indicated in <FIG>. By doing so, gas company <NUM> is capable of identifying the failure part of the gas appliance having a failure in such a manner that the ignition system, such as an igniter, is identified as the failure part when the generated flow rate graph is similar to <FIG> and that the gas supply valve or its drive system is identified as the failure part when the generated flow rate graph is similar to the state of <FIG>.

In the present embodiment, the case where the communication with user <NUM> and identification of the failure part in the gas appliance are performed by gas company <NUM>, but may be performed by a repair company different from gas company <NUM>.

Moreover, the communication with user <NUM> and the identification of the failure part in the gas appliance may be incorporated into the functions of center <NUM>.

In other words, a voice guidance may be played at the time of reception by telephone to prompt user <NUM> to input numbers, so that the details of the failure of the gas appliance can be understood. After instructing gas meter <NUM> to measure detailed data, user <NUM> may be instructed to operate the gas appliance, so that the detailed flow rate data is automatically obtained.

Center device <NUM> may store the flow rate characteristics and pressure characteristics for each model of the gas appliances in the appliance information storage. Then center device <NUM> may compare the flow rate data obtained through communication with the stored data to identify the failure part and generate failure diagnosis information. Moreover, it goes without saying that coordination of a visit schedule with the user can also be automated with the voice guidance on the telephone.

As described above, in gas appliance failure diagnosis system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, gas meter <NUM> includes a flow rate meter which is capable of measuring the flow rate in one of a normal measurement mode in which the flow rate is measured in a predetermined sampling period and a detailed measurement mode in which the flow rate is measured in a sampling period shorter than the predetermined sampling period in the normal measurement mode. Center device <NUM> instructs gas meter <NUM> to measure the flow rate in the detailed measurement mode, collects the flow rate data measured in the detailed measurement mode from gas meter <NUM>, and generates failure diagnosis information for failure diagnosis of the gas appliance based on the collected flow rate data.

With this configuration, gas company <NUM> which operates center device <NUM> is capable of remotely identifying the failure part in the gas appliance based on the failure diagnosis information and the information on the gas appliance. This allows the repair to be completed within a single visit, facilitating the repair work. In addition, gas company <NUM> is capable of reducing the number of on-site repairs.

As in the present embodiment, it may be that in response to the instruction from center device <NUM>, gas meter <NUM> detects presence of a flow and starts measuring the flow rate in the detailed measurement mode.

With this configuration, an increase in power consumption due to the detailed measurement mode can be minimized, and the memory required for storing the flow rate data can be reduced.

As in the present embodiment, gas company <NUM> of center device <NUM> may instruct gas meter <NUM> to measure the flow rate in the detailed measurement mode based on a contact from user <NUM> who owns the gas appliance.

With this configuration, it is possible to measure the flow rate in the detailed measurement mode with a large power consumption only when a problem occurs, so that an increase in power consumption of the gas meter can be reduced.

As in the present embodiment, it may be that gas meter <NUM> includes pressure meter <NUM> which measures the pressure of the gas, and that gas meter <NUM> transmits the measured pressure data together with the flow rate data to center device <NUM>. It may be that center device <NUM> generates failure diagnosis information based on the flow rate data and the pressure data.

With this configuration, failure diagnosis information can be generated based on not only the flow rate data but also the pressure data, so that the accuracy of identification of the failure part is increased.

As in the present embodiment, the information on the gas appliance may include an image of the operating state of the gas appliance.

With this configuration, center device <NUM> is capable of reliably identifying the failure part.

Since the above described embodiment is to illustrate an example of the technique according to the present disclosure, various changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of claims.

Claim 1:
A gas appliance failure diagnosis system (<NUM>) comprising:
a gas meter (<NUM>) which measure a flow rate of a gas consumed by a gas appliance (<NUM>,<NUM>) connected downstream of the gas meter (<NUM>); and
a center device (<NUM>) which obtains the flow rate measured by the gas meter (<NUM>) through a communication,
wherein the gas meter (<NUM>) includes a flow rate meter (<NUM>) which measures the flow rate in one of a normal measurement mode and a detailed measurement mode, the normal measurement mode being a mode in which the flow rate is measured in a predetermined sampling period, the detailed measurement mode being a mode in which the flow rate is measured in a sampling period shorter than the predetermined sampling period in the normal measurement mode,
the center device (<NUM>) gives an instruction to the gas meter (<NUM>) to measure the flow rate in the detailed measurement mode, collects flow rate data that is data of the flow rate measured in the detailed measurement mode from the gas meter, and generates, based on the flow rate data, failure diagnosis information for diagnosing a failure in the gas appliance (<NUM>,<NUM>), and
a communication method performed between the center device (<NUM>) and the gas meter (<NUM>) is
a direct communication using a telephone line,
a cellular communication via a base station, or
a method using a multi-stage relay for wireless communication between a wireless slave unit provided in the gas meter and a master unit and internet connection.