JPH03627Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] This invention relates to a switching regulator with a gas switching notification function suitable for a consumption data transmission system employed to streamline container exchange and delivery.

[Conventional technology]

As an LP gas supply system, the applicant previously developed a consumption data transmission system shown in FIG.

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

The switching regulator 3 is a combination of a switching valve provided with a pressure detection sensor and a pressure reducing valve, and the detection output of the sensor is inputted through a signal transmission line 5 to a repeater 6 that issues an alarm output.

A telephone set 7 is connected to the output end of the repeater 6, and the alarm output by detection is sent to the telephone line 7 of the telephone set 7.
Data is transmitted to the gas supplier side through a. There is a host computer 8 on the gas supply source side, and the processing of this computer 8 determines when to replace the container based on the alarm output.

Therefore, according to this system, a remote gas supply source can immediately know when the used container 1 is empty, and can issue a switching instruction, so that the gas supply source can immediately know when the used container 1 is empty, and can instruct the switchover. LPG container delivery planning can be done extremely efficiently.

[Problems that the idea aims to solve]

What is most important in this system configuration is that the switching regulator 3 accurately detects the gas consumption state at the switching position and the switching standby position.

In other words, the switching regulator has a switching valve, and the gas supply source is switched by the rotational displacement of the switching valve.
This rotational displacement also switches the actuator.

On the other hand, the sensor is located at the switching position and the switching standby position. Therefore, if the switching valve is not placed in a predetermined position with high precision, there is a risk that the sensor will make a detection error and the system itself will become ineffective.

This invention was developed based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to enable the switching regulator to accurately detect the gas consumption status at the switching position and switching standby position, thereby preventing delivery errors and delivery errors. The purpose is to prevent leaks.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the switching regulator of this invention includes a switching valve that switches the gas supply source from one gas container to the other gas container, and a switching valve that is mechanically locked in a switching standby position and a switching position. It is characterized by comprising a lock mechanism, an actuator that is activated by a pressure drop in the gas container, a pair of sensors that detect the operation of the actuator in a switching standby position and a switching position, and a release means for the lock mechanism.

[Effect]

Since the switching valve is always locked in the switching standby position and the switching position by the locking mechanism, the actuator is accurately positioned opposite the sensor to prevent detection errors.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of this invention will be described in detail using the drawings.

The system to which this invention is applied is basically the same as shown in Fig. 5 above, so only the main parts of the switching regulator will be explained, and the entire system and other parts of the switching regulator will be omitted. .

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the main part showing the detection part of the switching regulator, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the main part showing the locking mechanism of the switching regulator, and Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view showing the sensor part.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the detection portion.

In FIG. 1, the periphery of a diaphragm 303 is fixed between a case 301 and an upper case 302 provided at the top of the switching regulator 3, and between each case 301 and 302, an intermediate pressure gas chamber G and an atmospheric pressure chamber The atmospheric pressure chamber A is airtightly partitioned into the atmospheric pressure chamber A, and the balance with the intermediate pressure gas chamber G is maintained by a spring 304 inserted on the atmospheric pressure chamber A side.

A switching shaft 305 that moves up and down together with the diaphragm 303 extends through the center thereof.
This switching shaft 305 has a function as a switching actuator, and its lower end is connected to a switching valve (not shown).

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

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

Further, a magnet 308 as a detection actuator is built inside the display body 307. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a cover 302a is disposed around the shoulder of the upper case 302, and a magnet 3 is placed inside the cover 302a.
A pair of reed switches 309 are disposed 180 degrees opposite each other to open and close the contacts by connecting and separating the reed switches 309. Each reed switch 309 is located at a switching standby position and a switching position of the switching valve, respectively, and when the knob 306 is rotated correctly, the magnet 308 is positioned on one of the reed switches 309. do.

Lead wire 309 of each reed switch 309
a, 310a are bundled into one, grommet 31
1 to the outer periphery of the upper case 302, and each lead-out end is connected to the input/output end of the repeater.

A lock pin 312 constituting a lock mechanism protrudes from the outer periphery of the knob 306. This lock pin 312 passes through the inside and outside of the knob 306 as shown in FIG. 2, and its inner end is in sliding contact with the outer periphery of the upper case 302.

A lock release lever 314 is provided at the outer end of the lock pin 312 to urge it in the pulling direction. The lock release lever 314 is swingably supported on a fulcrum portion 316 provided on the outer periphery of the knob 306, and its working end is attached to the lock pin 3.
It is connected to the outer end of 12.

Also, the inner end flange 31 of the lock pin 312
2a and the inner circumference of the knob 306, a compression coil spring 328 is attached to the outer circumference of the lock pin 312.
is inserted, and the tip of the lock pin 312 is always pressed against the outer circumference of the surface of the upper case 302.

On the other hand, at appropriate positions on the upper case 302
Lock grooves 320 are formed 180 degrees opposite to each other, and the lock pin 312 fits into the lock groove 320 when the knob 306 is at an appropriate rotation position, thereby regulating the rotation of the knob 306. This rotation restriction position is set so that the magnet 308 is directly above one of the reed switches 309, and is located at a switching standby position or a switching position.

Therefore, when the display body 307 is lowered due to the reduced pressure in the intermediate pressure gas chamber G due to gas consumption, the reed switch 309 is accurately closed by the approach of the magnet 308. In response to this detection signal, repeater 2
0 outputs replenishment request data.

This signal causes the host computer to output a switching signal. Based on this information, manually adjust knob 3.
06, press the lever 314.
Lock pin 312 is unlocked.

Next, when the lever 314 is released while turning the knob 306, the lock pin 312 slides around the upper case 32 and rotates 180 degrees as shown in FIG.
It is fitted into the lock groove 320 on the opposite side, and relocked with the magnet 38 accurately facing the reed switch 309 on the other side.

[Effect of idea]

As explained in detail in the embodiments above, according to this invention, the switching valve is always locked in the switching standby position and the switching position by the lock mechanism, so that the actuator is accurately positioned facing the sensor and detected. Prevent mistakes. Thereby, the switching regulator can accurately detect the gas consumption state at the switching position and the switching standby position. Therefore, this invention can completely prevent delivery errors and delivery omissions in this consumer data transmission system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the main part showing the detection part of the switching regulator, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the main part showing the locking mechanism of the switching regulator, and Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view showing the sensor part.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the detection portion, and FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a consumption data transmission system to which this invention is applied. 1, 2... Container, 3... Switching regulator, 305...
...Switching axis, 306...Switching knob, 308...Magnet, 309...Reed switch, 312...
Lock pin, 314...Lock release lever, 32
0...Lock groove.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A switching regulator attached to a pair of gas containers, the switching regulator includes a switching valve that switches the gas supply source from one gas container to the other gas container, and a switching standby position and a switching position of the switching valve. a locking mechanism that mechanically locks the gas container; an actuator that is activated by a pressure drop in the gas container; a pair of sensors that detect the actuation of the actuator in the switching standby position and the switching position; and means for releasing the locking mechanism. Features a switching regulator with gas switching notification function.