JP7378331B2 - Gas meters and methods to prevent unauthorized operation of gas meters - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for preventing unauthorized manipulation of a meter display section of a gas meter that displays the cumulative flow rate of gas, and a gas meter capable of preventing unauthorized manipulation of the meter display section.

In a typical gas meter that includes a metering section that measures gas flowing from a gas inlet to a gas outlet, the cumulative flow rate of gas measured in the metering section is displayed on the meter display section of the gas meter. The gas supplier calculates the gas fee from the cumulative flow rate displayed on the meter display and charges the customer.

In the above-mentioned gas meter, it is required under the Measurement Act to seal the attachment part of the cover member that protects the meter display section to prevent the meter display section from being tampered with by consumers or the like.

Conventional sealing methods include, for example, using special screws that require a special tool to attach and remove the cover member at the attachment point of the cover member so that the cover member cannot be easily removed, and also adding silicone to the screw head of the special screw. An example of this method is to coat the cover member with a paint such that it leaves a trace in the event of an unauthorized attempt to remove the cover member.

Although the conventional method for preventing unauthorized operation on the meter display section of a gas meter is widely known, there is no suitable document, so no prior art document will be disclosed.

According to the above-mentioned method for preventing unauthorized operation, the cost is high because special screws are used. Furthermore, when applying silicone, etc. to the screw head of the special screw, it is applied manually after the special screw is tightened, which requires not only the application work but also drying time afterward. Considering that it is used, it requires a lot of effort and time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for preventing unauthorized operation of a meter display section of a gas meter, which can be carried out with simpler work while suppressing costs, and is highly effective in preventing unauthorized operation, and a method for preventing unauthorized operation of a meter display section. An object of the present invention is to provide a gas meter that can be prevented from being manipulated.

The gas meter according to the present invention is characterized by having a gas meter main body that includes a metering section that measures the gas flowing from the gas inflow section to the gas outflow section, and a meter display section that displays the cumulative flow rate of the gas measured in the metering section. A gas meter comprising: and a cover member that protects the meter display section,
A film member is provided over a joint portion between the gas meter main body and the cover member,
The gas meter main body, the cover member, and the film member are painted.

The method for preventing unauthorized operation of a gas meter according to the present invention is characterized by a metering section that measures the gas flowing from the gas inlet to the gas outlet, and a meter display section that displays the cumulative flow rate of the gas measured in the metering section. A method for preventing unauthorized operation in a gas meter comprising a gas meter main body having a gas meter body and a cover member for protecting the meter display section, the method comprising:
a step of providing a film member over a joint portion between the gas meter main body and the cover member;
The present invention includes a step of painting the gas meter main body, the cover member, and the film member.

According to this configuration, unauthorized operation of the meter display section can be prevented by a simple operation of pasting the film member from the outer surface of the gas meter main body to the outer surface of the cover member. Furthermore, since commonly used film members can be used, costs can be kept low compared to the case where special screws are used.

In the gas meter and the method for preventing unauthorized operation of a gas meter according to the present invention, the film member includes a brittle portion that is torn when an attempt is made to peel off the film member or remove the cover member, and the brittle portion is It is preferable that at least a portion of the film member is configured to overlap with the coupling portion in a plan view of the film member.

According to this configuration, if an attempt is made to peel off the film member or remove the cover member, the film member will be torn and this will become evidence of unauthorized operation of the meter display section, thus preventing unauthorized operation. The effect of

In the gas meter and the method for preventing unauthorized operation of a gas meter according to the present invention, when the film member is peeled off, traces of the film member are left on at least a portion of a portion extending from the gas meter main body to the cover member. Preferably, it is configured such that the

According to this configuration, when the film member is peeled off, traces of the film member remain on at least a portion of the area extending from the gas meter main body to the cover member, and the traces serve as evidence that the meter display section has been tampered with. This increases the effectiveness of deterring unauthorized operations.

In the gas meter and the method for preventing unauthorized operation of a gas meter according to the present invention, it is preferable that the film member is provided over the entire circumference of the joint portion between the gas meter main body and the cover member.

According to this configuration, since the film member is provided all around the joint part between the gas meter main body and the cover member, it is difficult to peel off the film member, and as a result, it becomes even more difficult to remove the cover member from the gas meter main body, resulting in tampering. becomes more effective in deterring

It is a perspective view of a gas meter. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a meter display section of the gas meter. It is a sectional view of a film member. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the meter display section of the gas meter.

[Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
(Gas meter)
As shown in FIG. 1, a gas meter 1 for measuring gas supplied to consumers through a primary gas piping 12 and a secondary gas piping 13 has a gas inflow section 9 into which gas flows into the top of a gas meter main body 2. and a gas outflow section 10 from which gas flows out. Each of the gas inflow section 9 and the gas outflow section 10 is arranged to be connected to a primary gas pipe 12 and a secondary gas pipe 13, respectively, by a union type pipe joint 11.

The gas meter 1 is provided with a measuring section (not shown) configured to measure gas by a known method in a gas flow path (not shown) spanning a gas inflow section 9 and a gas outflow section 10. A control section (not shown) comprising a microcomputer is configured to display the measurement result by the metering section as an integrated flow rate on a meter display section 3 provided on the front surface of the gas meter 1. The gas supplier charges the consumer a gas fee calculated from the cumulative flow rate.

The gas meter main body 2 is composed of an upper main body 20 and a lower main body 21, which are divided into upper and lower halves. These include a shutoff valve (not shown) that can shut off gas flow in the gas flow path, and a reed switch (not shown) that is activated by applying a magnetic field to an operating position (not shown) on the surface of the upper main body 20. , a control section that controls the cutoff valve in accordance with the operation of the reed switch is disposed. Further, the above-mentioned meter display section 3 on which the integrated flow rate is displayed, the return button 6, etc. are arranged on the front part of the upper main body 20. The shutoff valve is configured to be open while a solenoid (not shown) is energized by the control section, and closed while the solenoid is not energized by the control section.

The reed switch is disposed inside a specific actuation position on the surface of the upper body 20, and is actuated when a magnet (not shown) is brought close to the actuation position and a magnetic field is applied to the actuation position, thereby controlling the reed switch. The control unit is configured to send an activation signal to the control unit, and upon receiving the activation signal, excites the solenoid to close the cutoff valve.

The return button 6 is arranged so that it can be pressed from the front side of the gas meter 1, and when the return button 6 is pressed, the control unit de-energizes the solenoid and opens the cutoff valve. It is configured as follows.

In other words, in the gas meter 1, by operating the reed switch and operating the return button 6, the shutoff valve is controlled to open and close, thereby performing a stop operation to stop the supply of gas to the consumer, and a stop operation to stop the supply of gas to the consumer. It is configured to be able to execute a return operation to restore supply. Note that the specific control by the control unit in the pause operation and the return operation is well known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

The meter display section 3 is provided with a box-shaped counter cover 7 (an example of a cover member) for protecting the meter display section 3 while making the integrated flow rate of gas by the metering section visible. The counter cover 7 can be attached to and removed from the gas meter body 2 by inserting screws 8 into each of the four corner through-holes of the counter cover 7, screwing them into the screw holes of the gas meter body 2, and tightening them. attached (see Figure 4).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, a film member 14 is provided over the painted gas meter main body 2 and the counter cover 7 to prevent unauthorized operation of the meter display section. In this embodiment, film members 14 are provided on four side surfaces, top, bottom, left and right, including a joint portion 15 between the gas meter main body 2 and the counter cover 7.

The film member 14 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be provided across the joint portion 15 between the gas meter main body 2 and the cover member 7. The structure may be such that it is provided over the entire circumference of the connecting portion 15.

The number and installation position of the film members 14 may be set arbitrarily as necessary, but preferably, at least two of the four side surfaces, top, bottom, left and right, including the connecting portion 15 between the gas meter main body 2 and the counter cover 7 It is best to install it on one side. Further, the film member 14 may be attached to cover the screws 8 at the corners of the counter cover 7.

Preferably, the film member 14 is configured to include a brittle portion 143 that ruptures when the film member 14 is peeled off or the counter cover 7 is removed. The brittle portion 143 is, for example, a cut (perforation), and examples of the shape of the cut include a straight line shape, a diagonal diagonal line shape, and a zigzag shape.

As shown in FIG. 2, the film member 14 is preferably provided so that at least a portion of the fragile portion 143 overlaps the joint portion 15 when the film member 14 is viewed from above.

Further, the film member 14 is configured such that, when the film member 14 is peeled off, traces of the film member 14 (ink, letters, etc.) remain on at least a portion of the area extending from the gas meter main body 2 to the counter cover 7. It may be something that exists.

Although any known film can be used as the film member 14, it is desirable that the film member 14 has weather resistance that can withstand long-term outdoor use (for example, 10 years). An example of such a film member 14 is a brittle film including a surface base material 140, an adhesive 141, and a release paper 142, as shown in FIG. 3, for example.

The brittle film includes, for example, a translucent special brittle film containing a polystyrene material as the surface base material 140 and a strong acrylic adhesive 141 as the adhesive 141. The release paper 142 is peeled off before use. Note that a paper-based film may be used as the surface base material 140 in consideration of compatibility with the paint.

The surface of the film member 14 must be coatable, and examples of such film members include PS-20 manufactured by Nichiei Shinka Co., Ltd.

The outer surfaces of the gas meter main body 2 and the counter cover 7 of the gas meter 1 in this embodiment are coated with paint P to prevent rust and maintain the design. For the coating treatment, known paints can be used, but solvent coating is preferable; for example, an epoxy resin paint is used as the undercoat, and an acrylic resin paint is used as the topcoat. Further, the outer surface of the film member 14 is also subjected to the same coating treatment as the gas meter main body 2 and the counter cover 7. The coating process is performed while the film member 14 is provided over the joint portion 15 between the gas meter main body 2 and the cover member 7.

(Method to prevent unauthorized operation of gas meter)
A method for preventing unauthorized operation in the gas meter 1, which includes the gas meter main body 2 and the counter cover 7, will be described below.

First, the film member 14 is provided across the outer surface of the gas meter main body 2 and the outer surface of the counter cover 7.

The film member 14 only needs to be provided over the joint portion 15 between the gas meter main body 2 and the counter cover 7, and the number and installation position of the film member 14 may be arbitrarily set as necessary.

It is desirable that the film member 14 is provided so that at least a portion of the brittle portion 143 overlaps the bonding portion 15 in a plan view of the film member 14 .

Further, for example, the film member 14 may be provided over the entire circumference of the joint portion 15 between the gas meter main body 2 and the counter cover 7.

Next, the outer surfaces of the gas meter main body 2, the counter cover 7, and the film member 14 are each painted with the paint P. As the coating treatment, solvent coating is desirable, and for example, an epoxy resin paint is used for the undercoat and an acrylic resin paint is used for the top coat.

According to this method, when an attempt is made to peel off the film member 14 or to remove the cover member 7, the film member 14 is torn, as shown in FIG. Since it becomes evidence, it has the effect of deterring unauthorized operations.

(Other embodiments)
Regarding the film member in the above-described embodiment, conventional tamper-proofing methods such as using a special screw as the screw 8 used to attach the counter cover 7 or applying silicone or the like to the screw head of the special screw may be used as necessary. It may be used in combination with other methods.

It should be noted that the configuration disclosed in the above embodiment (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configuration disclosed in other embodiments, unless a contradiction occurs. In addition, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are illustrative, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the purpose of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be suitably utilized in the field of the technique of preventing unauthorized operation of the meter display part which displays the integrated flow rate of gas in a gas meter.

1 Gas meter 2 Gas meter body 20 Upper body 21 Lower body 3 Meter display section 6 Return button 7 Counter cover (cover member)
8 Screws 9 Gas inflow section 10 Gas outflow section 11 Union type pipe fitting 12 Primary gas piping 13 Secondary gas piping 14 Film member 140 Surface base material 141 Adhesive 142 Release paper 143 Brittle portion 15 Joint portion P Paint

Claims (8)

A gas meter main body having a metering section that measures the gas flowing from the gas inflow section to the gas outflow section and a meter display section that displays the cumulative flow rate of the gas measured in the metering section, and protecting the meter display section. A gas meter including a cover member,
A film member is provided over a joint portion between the gas meter main body and the cover member,
A gas meter in which the gas meter main body, the cover member, and the film member are painted. The film member includes a brittle portion that is torn when an attempt is made to peel off the film member or remove the cover member, and at least a portion of the brittle portion is in contact with the bonded portion in a plan view of the film member. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the gas meter is configured to overlap with the gas meter. 3. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the film member is configured such that, when the film member is peeled off, traces of the film member remain on at least a portion of a portion extending from the gas meter main body to the cover member. gas meter. The gas meter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the film member is provided over the entire circumference of a joint portion between the gas meter main body and the cover member. A gas meter main body having a metering section that measures the gas flowing from the gas inflow section to the gas outflow section and a meter display section that displays the cumulative flow rate of the gas measured in the metering section, and protecting the meter display section. A method for preventing unauthorized operation in a gas meter including a cover member, the method comprising:
a step of providing a film member over a joint portion between the gas meter main body and the cover member;
A method for preventing unauthorized operation of a gas meter, including the step of painting the gas meter main body, the cover member, and the film member. The film member includes a brittle portion that is torn when an attempt is made to peel off the film member or remove the cover member, and at least a portion of the brittle portion is in contact with the bonded portion in a plan view of the film member. 6. The method for preventing unauthorized operation of a gas meter according to claim 5, wherein the method is configured to overlap with the method. 7. The gas meter according to claim 5, wherein the film member is configured such that when the film member is peeled off, traces of the film member remain on at least a portion of a portion extending from the gas meter main body to the cover member. How to prevent unauthorized operation of gas meters. The method for preventing unauthorized operation of a gas meter according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the film member is provided over the entire circumference of a joint portion between the gas meter main body and the cover member.

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