阅读说明：本技术 流量测定装置 (Flow rate measuring device ) 是由 山本克行 上田直亚 于 2019-01-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种流量测定装置,其对流体的流量进行间歇性的测定,具备：加热部,其加热流体；控制部,其将驱动所述加热部的驱动电压或施加所述驱动电压的间隔控制为任意的值；温度检测部,其检测被加热的流体的温度信息；流量测定部,其基于从所述温度检测部输出的检测信号测定流体的流量,在间歇性地测定所述流量时,所述控制部通过变更施加所述驱动电压的间隔来变更各个测定中的所述加热部的加热量。(The present invention provides a flow rate measuring device for intermittently measuring a flow rate of a fluid, comprising: a heating section that heats a fluid; a control unit that controls a drive voltage for driving the heating unit or an interval for applying the drive voltage to an arbitrary value; a temperature detection unit that detects temperature information of the heated fluid; and a flow rate measuring unit that measures a flow rate of the fluid based on the detection signal output from the temperature detecting unit, wherein the control unit changes the heating amount of the heating unit in each measurement by changing an interval at which the driving voltage is applied when the flow rate is intermittently measured.)

1. A flow rate measuring device for intermittently measuring a flow rate of a fluid, comprising:

a heating section that heats a fluid;

a control unit that controls a drive voltage for driving the heating unit or an interval for applying the drive voltage to an arbitrary value;

a temperature detection unit that detects temperature information of the heated fluid;

a flow rate measuring unit that measures a flow rate of the fluid based on the detection signal output from the temperature detecting unit,

when the flow rate is intermittently measured, the control unit changes the amount of heating of the heating unit in each measurement by changing the interval at which the driving voltage is applied.

2. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1,

in the intermittent measurement, the interval of applying the driving voltage is set to be constant, and in the specific measurement, the interval of applying the driving voltage is shortened.

3. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1 or 2,

the drive voltage for each of the intermittent measurements is composed of one rectangular wave voltage, and in a specific measurement, the drive voltage is composed of a plurality of rectangular wave voltages.

4. A flow rate measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

when the flow rate is intermittently measured, the control unit changes the heating amount of the heating unit in each measurement by changing the driving voltage.

5. The flow rate measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

a second heating section;

a second temperature detection section that is provided side by side across the second heating section in a direction blocking a flow of the fluid;

a property measuring unit that measures a property of the fluid based on the detection signal output from the second temperature detecting unit,

the control unit further controls a second driving voltage for driving the second heating unit or an interval for applying the second driving voltage to an arbitrary value.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a flow rate measuring apparatus.

Background

It is necessary to measure the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the flow path. As one of the devices for measuring the flow rate, for example, a thermal flow rate sensor as disclosed in patent document 1 is cited. Further, there is a method of measuring the flow rate of a fluid using a thermal flow rate sensor, for example, as disclosed in patent documents 2 to 3.

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 3658321

Patent document 2: description of European patent No. 1144958B1

Patent document 3: japanese patent No. 5644674

Disclosure of Invention

When the flow rate of a fluid is measured using a thermal flow rate sensor, electric power for heating the fluid is required. That is, the energy cost required for the measurement may increase. In order to save energy costs, patent document 2 discloses a flow rate measuring apparatus including two measurement modes, which are a measurement mode in which the heating time is short, the heat diffusion is reduced, and the accuracy is reduced, in addition to a normal measurement mode. In the case of such a flow rate measuring apparatus, energy costs required for measurement can be saved by using the measurement mode separately.

Patent document 3 discloses a flow rate measuring device in which a heater control means allows the heater to release the minimum amount of heat required to output the minimum detection signal capable of identifying the flow rate from a sensor circuit. The flow rate measuring apparatus can save energy costs.

However, the flow rate measurement device disclosed in patent document 2 limits the measurement mode of the device to two. Therefore, the operation of the flow rate measuring device cannot be finely adjusted, and the convenience is low.

In addition, since the flow rate measuring device disclosed in patent document 3 performs feedback control using the heater resistance value, a calculation region or a storage region is necessary. That is, the flow rate measuring device disclosed in patent document 3 may increase the hardware cost.

That is, the present inventors have found that a conventional flow rate measuring apparatus is a low-convenience apparatus that can save energy costs, but has a high hardware cost, and cannot finely adjust the measurement accuracy and the degree of energy cost saving.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a flow rate measuring apparatus which can finely adjust the degree of saving of measurement accuracy and energy cost without increasing the hardware cost and which is highly convenient.

The present invention adopts the following configuration to solve the above problems.

That is, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flow rate measuring device for intermittently measuring a flow rate of a fluid, comprising: a heating section that heats a fluid; a control unit that controls a drive voltage for driving the heating unit or an interval for applying the drive voltage to an arbitrary value; a temperature detection unit that detects temperature information of the heated fluid; and a flow rate measuring unit that measures a flow rate of the fluid based on the detection signal output from the temperature detecting unit, wherein the control unit changes the heating amount of the heating unit in each measurement by changing an interval at which the driving voltage is applied when the flow rate is intermittently measured.

According to this configuration, the distribution of heat generated by the flow of the fluid can be detected, and the flow rate of the fluid can be measured intermittently.

In addition, according to this configuration, since the drive voltage is controlled to an arbitrary value, the degree of heating of the fluid can be finely adjusted. That is, the accuracy of measuring the flow rate and the degree of saving energy cost can be finely adjusted.

In addition, according to this configuration, the interval at which the driving voltage is applied can be controlled to an arbitrary value. In addition, when the flow rate is intermittently measured, the interval at which the driving voltage is applied can be changed. That is, according to this configuration, when the flow rate is intermittently measured, the interval between the application of the driving voltage can be shortened, the degree of heating of the fluid can be increased, and the accuracy of measuring the flow rate can be improved. On the contrary, the interval between the application of the driving voltage is increased, the degree of heating of the fluid is reduced, the accuracy of measuring the flow rate is reduced, and the energy cost is saved. That is, this configuration can finely adjust the accuracy of measuring the flow rate and the degree of saving energy cost not only by controlling the driving voltage for driving the heating unit but also by controlling the interval between the application of the driving voltage.

Further, according to this configuration, the driving voltage of the heating unit and the interval between the application of the driving voltage can be controlled to various values, and a plurality of kinds of intermittent measurements can be realized.

Further, according to this configuration, feedback control is not performed when flow rate measurement is performed. Therefore, there is no concern that a calculation area or a memory area increases, and hardware cost does not increase.

In the flow rate measuring device according to the above aspect, the interval of applying the driving voltage may be set constant in the intermittent measurement, and the interval of applying the driving voltage may be shortened in a specific measurement.

According to this configuration, when the flow rate is intermittently measured, the degree of heating of the fluid can be increased in a specific measurement. That is, this configuration can improve the accuracy of measuring the flow rate in a specific measurement during the intermittent measurement of the flow rate. In addition, the measurement accuracy can be improved without increasing the driving voltage.

In the flow rate measuring device according to the above aspect, the drive voltage for each of the intermittent measurements may be formed of a single rectangular wave-shaped voltage, and the drive voltage for a specific measurement may be formed of a plurality of rectangular wave-shaped voltages.

According to this configuration, the driving voltage can be easily controlled. In addition, when the flow rate is intermittently measured, the degree of heating of the fluid can be increased in a specific measurement. That is, this configuration can improve the accuracy of measuring the flow rate in a specific measurement during the intermittent measurement of the flow rate. In addition, the measurement accuracy can be improved without increasing the driving voltage.

In the flow rate measurement device according to the above aspect, the control unit may change the heating amount of the heating unit in each measurement by changing the driving voltage when the flow rate is intermittently measured.

According to this configuration, when the flow rate is intermittently measured, the driving voltage itself can be increased, the degree of heating of the fluid can be increased, and the accuracy of measuring the flow rate can be improved. In addition, conversely, the driving voltage can be reduced, the heating degree of the fluid can be reduced, and the energy cost can be saved.

In the flow rate measurement device according to the above aspect, the flow rate measurement device may further include: a second heating section; a second temperature detection section that is provided side by side across the second heating section in a direction blocking a flow of the fluid; and a property measuring unit that measures a property of the fluid based on the detection signal output from the second temperature detecting unit, wherein the control unit further controls a second driving voltage for driving the second heating unit or an interval of applying the second driving voltage to an arbitrary value.

With this configuration, the second temperature detection unit can detect the diffusion of heat due to the characteristics of the fluid, and intermittently measure the characteristics of the fluid.

Further, according to this configuration, the detection signal output from the second temperature detection unit is an output that reduces the influence of a change in the distribution of heat generated by the flow of the fluid. That is, the characteristics of the fluid measured using the output of the second temperature detection unit are highly accurate values.

Further, according to this configuration, since the second driving voltage for driving the second heating unit is controlled to an arbitrary value, the degree of heating of the fluid in the vicinity of the second heating unit can be finely adjusted. That is, the accuracy of measuring the fluid characteristics and the degree of energy cost saving can be finely adjusted.

In addition, according to this configuration, the interval at which the second drive voltage is applied is also controlled to an arbitrary value. That is, according to this configuration, the interval between the application of the second drive voltage and the heating of the fluid in the vicinity of the second heating unit can be shortened, and the accuracy of measuring the characteristics of the fluid can be improved. Conversely, the interval between the application of the second drive voltage and the heating of the fluid in the vicinity of the second heating unit can be increased, the accuracy of the measurement of the fluid characteristics can be reduced, and energy costs can be reduced. That is, this configuration enables fine adjustment of the accuracy of measurement of the fluid characteristics and the degree of energy cost saving by controlling the interval of application of the second drive voltage, in addition to the control by the second drive voltage.

In addition, according to this configuration, the interval between the application of the second drive voltage and the application of the second drive voltage can be controlled to various values, and a plurality of types of intermittent characteristics can be measured.

Further, according to this configuration, feedback control is not performed when the characteristic of the fluid is measured. Therefore, there is no concern that a calculation area or a memory area increases, and hardware cost does not increase.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a flow rate measuring apparatus which is highly convenient and which can finely adjust the degree of saving of measurement accuracy and energy cost without increasing the hardware cost.

Drawings

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a flow rate measuring device according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2A schematically illustrates an example of the accuracy of flow rate measurement and the energy cost required for flow rate measurement by a conventional flow rate measurement device.

Fig. 2B schematically illustrates an example of the accuracy of flow rate measurement and the energy cost required for flow rate measurement by the flow rate measurement device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an example of an enlarged view of the detection element of the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an example of a cross section of a flow rate measuring device.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an example of a schematic view when the flow rate measurement device is fixed to the flow tube member.

Fig. 6A schematically illustrates an example of temperature distribution in the vicinity of the micro-heater when the micro-heater is activated in a state where the fluid does not flow in the flow tube member.

Fig. 6B schematically illustrates an example of temperature distribution in the vicinity of the micro-heater when the micro-heater is activated in a state where the fluid flows in the flow tube member.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates an example of a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a flow rate measuring apparatus.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates an example of a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the flow rate measuring apparatus.

Fig. 9A schematically illustrates an example of intermittent measurement of a conventional flow rate measurement device.

Fig. 9B schematically illustrates an example of intermittent measurement of the flow rate measuring device when the application interval of the drive voltage is changed.

Fig. 9C schematically illustrates an example of intermittent measurement of the flow rate measuring device when the drive voltage and the application interval of the drive voltage are changed.

Fig. 10A schematically illustrates an example of a measurement mode that can be realized by a conventional flow rate measurement device.

Fig. 10B schematically illustrates an example of a plurality of measurement modes that can be realized by the flow rate measurement device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates an example of a perspective view of a flow rate measuring device and a flow tube member.

Fig. 12 schematically illustrates an example of the relationship between the detection element and the flow of the gas flow.

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates an example of a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a flow rate measuring apparatus.

Fig. 14 schematically illustrates an example of a flowchart showing a processing procedure for measuring the characteristics of the flow rate measuring apparatus.

Fig. 15 schematically illustrates an example in which a flow rate measuring device is provided in a flow tube member provided with two flow path portions, namely, a main flow path portion and a sub flow path portion.

Fig. 16 schematically illustrates an example of a partially enlarged view of the sub flow path portion.

Fig. 17 schematically illustrates an example of a cross-sectional view when the flow rate measuring device is provided in the flow tube unit.

Description of the marks

1. 12: detection element

2: control unit

3. 16: circuit board

4. 4A, 4B: flow tube component

5: flow path part

6. 6A: micro heater

7. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D: thermopile

8: insulating film

9: hollow cavity

10: micro heater control part

11: flow measuring part

13: characteristic measuring part

14: main flow path part

15: sub flow path part

17: cover

18: sealing element

19: inflow channel

20: outflow channel

21: first flow path

22: second flow path

23A: detecting element arranging part

23B: detecting element arranging part

24: resistor with a resistor element

100. 100A, 100B: flow rate measuring device

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as "the present embodiment") according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention in all points. It is apparent that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. That is, when the present invention is implemented, the specific configuration according to the embodiment can be appropriately adopted.

Application example § 1

An example of a scenario to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to fig. 1. Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a flow rate measurement device 100 according to the present embodiment. The flow rate measuring device 100 includes a detection element 1, a control unit 2, and a circuit board 3 on which the detection element 1 and the control unit 2 are mounted. A predetermined fluid flows in the flow tube member 4. Further, one flow path portion 5 is formed at an upper portion of the flow tube member 4. The flow rate measurement device 100 is fixed to the flow tube member 4 so that the detection element 1 is positioned in the flow path portion 5. The detection element 1 includes a micro-heater and a thermopile arranged in parallel across the micro-heater. The thermopile is substantially rectangular in shape. The detection element 1 is a so-called thermal flow sensor.

Here, the flow rate of the fluid is measured in the following manner. When the fluid flows in the flow tube part 4, if the micro-heater is activated, the vicinity of the micro-heater is heated. Also, a signal relating to the temperature in the vicinity of the micro-heater is output from the thermopile. When the fluid flows, if the fluid is heated by the micro-heater, the heat from the micro-heater is unevenly diffused by the influence of the flow of the fluid. This uneven heat diffusion is detected by the thermopile and the flow rate of the fluid is measured.

The control unit 2 controls the driving voltage of the micro-heater to an arbitrary value. Here, when the driving voltage is large and the degree of heating of the fluid is large, the heat near the micro-heater is diffused well and the flow rate of the fluid is detected with high accuracy, but energy cost is required. On the other hand, when the driving voltage is small and the degree of heating of the fluid is small, the diffusion of heat in the vicinity of the micro-heater is reduced, and the accuracy of measuring the flow rate of the fluid is reduced, but energy cost is saved. That is, the flow rate measurement device 100 can finely adjust the measurement accuracy of the flow rate and the degree of energy cost saving by controlling the drive voltage.

The control unit 2 also controls the interval of application of the driving voltage to an arbitrary value. Here, when the interval for applying the driving voltage is shortened, the degree of heating of the fluid is increased, the heat near the micro-heater is diffused well, and the flow rate of the fluid is detected with high accuracy. On the contrary, when the interval between the applied driving voltages is increased, the diffusion of heat in the vicinity of the micro-heater is reduced, and the accuracy of measuring the flow rate of the fluid is reduced, but the energy cost is saved. That is, the flow rate measuring apparatus 100 can finely adjust the accuracy of measuring the flow rate and the degree of saving energy cost by controlling the interval between the application of the driving voltage, in addition to the control of the driving voltage for driving the micro-heater.

The flow rate measuring apparatus 100 can control the driving voltage of the micro-heater or the interval of applying the driving voltage to various values, and realize a plurality of kinds of intermittent measurements. That is, the flow rate measurement device 100 is a highly convenient device.

Fig. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate an example in which the accuracy of measurement of the flow rate by the flow rate measurement device 100 and the energy cost required for the flow rate measurement are compared with the technique disclosed in patent document 2. As shown in fig. 2A, the technique disclosed in patent document 2 provides only two measurement modes. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 2B, the flow rate measurement device 100 can provide a plurality of measurement modes in which the drive voltage or the interval between applied drive voltages is controlled to various values, and which are related to the measurement accuracy of the flow rate and the energy cost. That is, the flow rate measurement device 100 is a highly convenient device.

The flow rate measurement device 100 does not perform feedback control when performing flow rate measurement. Therefore, there is no concern that a calculation area or a memory area increases, and hardware cost does not increase.

As described above, the flow rate measuring apparatus 100 is a highly convenient apparatus capable of finely adjusting the degree of saving of the measurement accuracy and the energy cost without increasing the hardware cost.

Construction example 2

[ hardware configuration ]

Next, an example of the flow rate measuring device of the present embodiment will be described. The flow rate measurement device 100 of the present embodiment is provided in a flow tube inside a gas meter, for example, and can measure the flow rate of gas flowing in the flow tube. As shown in fig. 1, the flow rate measurement device 100 includes a detection element 1, a control unit 2, and a circuit board 3 on which the detection element 1 and the control unit 2 are mounted. Here, the control unit 2 is an example of the "control unit" of the present invention.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an example of an enlarged view of the detection element 1 of the present embodiment. The detection element 1 includes a micro-heater 6 and thermopiles 7A and 7B. Here, the micro-heater 6 is an example of the "heating section" of the present invention. The thermopiles 7A and 7B are an example of the "temperature detection unit" of the present invention. The micro-heater 6 is a resistor made of, for example, polysilicon, and is provided in the central portion of the detection element 1. The thermopiles 7A and 7B are arranged side by side across the micro-heater 6.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an example of a cross section of the flow rate measurement device 100. Insulating films 8 are formed on the upper and lower sides of the micro-heater 6 and the thermopiles 7A and 7B. Further, a cavity 9 is provided in the circuit board 3 below the thermopiles 7A, 7B. Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an example of a schematic view of the flow rate measurement device 100 fixed to the flow tube member 4. The detection element 1 is provided so as to be fitted into the central portion of the flow path portion 5. The detection element 1 is provided such that the thermopile 7A is on the upstream side in the gas flow direction and the thermopile 7B is on the downstream side.

[ principle of flow measurement ]

Next, the principle of flow rate detection using the detection element 1 will be explained. Fig. 6A schematically illustrates an example of the temperature distribution when the micro-heater 6 is activated in a state where the gas does not flow in the flow tube unit 4. On the other hand, fig. 6B schematically illustrates an example of the temperature distribution when the micro-heater 6 is activated in a state where the gas flows in the flow tube part 4. In the case where the gas does not flow in the flow tube part 4, the heat from the micro-heater 6 is diffused symmetrically centering on the micro-heater 6. Thus, no difference is generated in the outputs of the thermopiles 7A and 7B. On the other hand, when the gas flows through the flow tube unit 4, the heat from the micro-heater 6 is influenced by the gas flow, and is not diffused symmetrically about the micro-heater 6 but is diffused more toward the downstream thermopile 7B side. Thereby, a difference is generated in the outputs of the thermopiles 7A and 7B. Further, the larger the flow rate of the gas, the larger the difference in output. The relationship between the flow rate of the gas and the difference between the outputs of the thermopiles 7A and 7B is shown in the following equation (1), for example.

[ formula 1]

Here,. DELTA.V represents the flow rate of the gas, T_ARepresents the output value, T, of the thermopile 7A_BRepresents the output value of the thermopile 7B. In addition, v_fIs the flow rate of the gas, and A and b are constants. In the present embodiment, the flow rate is calculated according to the principle described above.

[ functional Structure ]

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates an example of a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the flow rate measuring apparatus 100. The control unit 2 includes a micro-heater control unit 10. The micro-heater control section 10 applies a driving voltage to the micro-heater 6 based on the interval at which a predetermined driving voltage is applied. However, the interval at which the driving voltage is applied can be changed, and can be set to an arbitrary value selected by the user. The micro-heater controller 10 can control the driving voltage applied to the micro-heater 6. However, the driving voltage can be changed and can be controlled to an arbitrary value selected by the user.

The control unit 2 further includes a flow rate measuring unit 11 that receives signals output from the thermopiles 7A and 7B and calculates a flow rate of the gas based on a difference between the outputs of the thermopiles 7A and 7B. The flow rate measuring unit 11 is an example of the "flow rate measuring unit" of the present invention. Equation (1) is used in calculating the flow rate of the gas from the difference in the outputs of the thermopiles 7A and 7B.

Action example 3

Next, an operation example of the flow rate measuring apparatus 100 will be described with reference to fig. 8. Fig. 8 schematically illustrates an example of a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the flow rate measurement device 100. The processing steps described below are merely examples, and each process may be changed as much as possible. In addition, according to the embodiment, the process steps described below can be omitted, replaced, and added as appropriate.

(step S101)

In step S101, the micro-heater controller 10 applies a driving voltage to the micro-heater 6. The drive voltage is, for example, rectangular wave-shaped. Then, the gas heating by the micro-heater 6 is started. The micro-heater control unit 10 controls the driving voltage and the time for applying the driving voltage to the micro-heater. Here, the time for applying the driving voltage to the driving voltage and the micro-heater 6 is a predetermined value and is predetermined.

(step S102)

In step S102, the micro-heater control unit 10 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed for applying the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6.

(step S103)

When the time for applying the driving voltage has elapsed, the micro-heater control section 10 stops the application of the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6.

(step S104)

In step S104, the micro-heater control unit 10 determines whether or not a desired number of measurements have been performed. When the desired number of measurements has been performed, the measurement is terminated.

(step S105)

In step S105, the micro-heater control unit 10 determines whether or not the interval time for applying the driving voltage has elapsed. Here, the interval at which the driving voltage is applied is predetermined. When the interval time for applying the driving voltage has elapsed, the micro-heater control unit 10 resumes the application of the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6.

The measurement of the flow rate of the gas by the flow rate measuring unit 11 is performed during a period from the application of the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6 in step S101 to the elapse of the heating time in step S102. However, the flow rate measurement device 100 can change the drive voltage and the interval between the application of the drive voltage during the above-described measurement. When the interval for applying the driving voltage is shortened, the measurement of the gas flow rate by the flow rate measuring unit 11 is continued even after the heating time in step S102 described above has elapsed.

Fig. 9A, 9B, and 9C schematically illustrate an example of comparing the outline of the driving voltage of the micro-heater 6 and the temperature in the vicinity of the micro-heater 6 when the driving voltage and the interval of applying the driving voltage are changed during the measurement by executing steps S101 to S105 with the technique disclosed in patent document 2.

As shown in fig. 9A, in the technique disclosed in patent document 2, the magnitude of the drive voltage and the interval at which the drive voltage is applied are constant. Then, the time for applying the driving voltage to the heater is selected from either t1 or t 2. However, t1 or t2 cannot be changed arbitrarily. That is, the technique disclosed in patent document 2 can perform two modes, i.e., a high-precision measurement mode and a low-precision measurement mode, but cannot perform measurements other than the two modes.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 9B, for example, the flow rate measurement device 100 according to the present embodiment can change from T1 to T2 so as to shorten the interval of applying the drive voltage in the middle of performing the normal measurement in which the low-accuracy measurement mode in which the interval of applying the drive voltage is T1 is realized. When the interval of application of the driving voltage is changed to T2, which is shorter than T1, the micro-heater 6 is intermittently driven, and the gas in the vicinity of the micro-heater 6 is heated more than when the interval of application of the driving voltage is T1. That is, when the interval at which the driving voltage is applied is T2, the heat near the micro-heater 6 is diffused more favorably than in the case of T1. Further, if the flow rate of the fluid is measured while the micro-heater 6 is intermittently driven, the flow rate is measured in a high-accuracy measurement mode with high accuracy. After the measurement in the high-accuracy measurement mode is completed, the interval between the application of the driving voltage is returned to T1 again, and the measurement in the low-accuracy measurement mode can be performed.

For example, as shown in fig. 9C, the flow rate measurement device 100 according to the present embodiment can reduce the drive voltage of the micro-heater 6, in addition to changing the interval of applying the drive voltage from T1 to T2 during the measurement in the low-accuracy measurement mode in which the interval of applying the drive voltage is T1. When the driving voltage of the micro-heater 6 is reduced, the degree of heating of the gas in the vicinity of the micro-heater 6 is reduced, so that the diffusion of heat in the vicinity of the micro-heater 6 is reduced, and the ultra-low-precision measurement mode is set in which the measurement precision is further reduced as compared with the low-precision measurement mode. After that, when the drive voltage is restored and the interval for applying the drive voltage is changed to T2 which is shorter than T1, the measurement is performed in the high-accuracy measurement mode in which the flow rate measurement accuracy is high, as in fig. 9B. After the measurement in the high-accuracy measurement mode is completed, the interval between the application of the driving voltage is returned to T1 again, and the measurement in the low-accuracy measurement mode can be performed.

[ action and Effect ]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the flow rate measurement device 100 can detect the distribution of heat generated by the flow of gas by the detection element 1 which is a thermal flow rate sensor, and intermittently measure the flow rate of gas.

Further, since the flow rate measuring device 100 controls the driving voltage for driving the micro-heater 6 to an arbitrary value, the degree of heating of the gas in the vicinity of the micro-heater 6 can be finely adjusted. Thus, for example, as shown in fig. 9C, when intermittent flow rate measurement is performed, measurement in the ultra-low accuracy mode can be performed with reduced driving voltage itself, reduced degree of heating of the fluid, and reduced energy cost. Conversely, the drive voltage can be increased to increase the degree of heating of the fluid, thereby improving the accuracy of measuring the flow rate. That is, the flow rate measurement device 100 can finely adjust the measurement accuracy of the flow rate and the degree of energy cost saving.

The flow rate measuring apparatus 100 also controls the interval of application of the drive voltage to an arbitrary value. That is, for example, as shown in fig. 9B and 9C, when intermittent flow rate measurement is performed, the flow rate measurement device 100 can intermittently drive the micro-heater 6 while shortening the interval of applying the drive voltage in specific measurement. That is, the flow rate measurement device 100 can increase the degree of heating of the gas without increasing the driving voltage, and can improve the flow rate measurement accuracy. On the contrary, when intermittent flow rate measurement is performed, the interval between the application of the driving voltage is increased so as not to decrease the driving voltage in the specific measurement, and the degree of heating of the gas can be reduced, thereby saving energy costs. That is, this configuration enables fine adjustment of the accuracy of flow rate measurement and the degree of energy cost saving by controlling the interval between the application of the driving voltage, in addition to the control of the driving voltage for driving the micro-heater 6.

In addition, the flow rate measurement device 100 is not limited to the example shown in fig. 9B and 9C when performing intermittent driving, and can realize a plurality of measurement modes by controlling the increase and decrease of the drive voltage and the interval of applying the drive voltage to various values.

Fig. 10B schematically illustrates an example of a plurality of measurement modes that can be realized by the flow rate measurement device 100. As shown in fig. 10A, the technique disclosed in patent document 2 has only two measurement modes because the time for applying the drive voltage to the heater cannot be arbitrarily changed. On the other hand, the flow rate measurement device 100 can realize a plurality of measurement modes by controlling the increase and decrease of the drive voltage and the interval between the application of the drive voltage to various values as shown in fig. 10B.

The flow rate measurement device 100 does not perform feedback control when performing flow rate measurement. Thus, there is no fear that the calculation area or the storage area increases.

In addition, since the driving voltage is a voltage having a rectangular waveform, the control is easy.

That is, the flow rate measuring apparatus 100 is a highly convenient apparatus capable of finely adjusting the degree of saving of the measurement accuracy and the energy cost without increasing the hardware cost.

Modification example 4

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, but the above description is only an example of the present invention in all points. It is apparent that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications can be made. In the following, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those of the above embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

＜4.1＞

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates an example of a perspective view of the flow rate measurement device 100A and the flow tube member 4A. As shown in fig. 11, the flow rate measurement device 100A includes a detection element 12 in addition to the detection element 1 and the control unit 2. Further, although not shown, the flow tube member 4A has one flow path along the flow of the gas like the flow path portion 5 of the flow tube member 4, and the detection element 1 and the detection element 12 are arranged side by side in a direction blocking the flow of the gas in the one flow path. The detection element 12 is a thermal flow sensor of the same type as the detection element 1, and includes a micro heater 6A and thermopiles 7C and 7D in the same manner as the detection element 1. Here, the micro-heater 6A is an example of the "second heating section" of the present invention. The thermopiles 7C and 7D are examples of the "second temperature detection unit" of the present invention.

Fig. 12 schematically illustrates an example of the relationship between the detection element 12 and the flow of the gas flow. The detection element 12 is provided by arranging the micro-heater 6A and the thermopiles 7C, 7D in a single flow path provided in the flow tube member 4A in a direction blocking the flow of the gas.

Here, the diffusion of heat near the micro-heater 6A depends on the characteristics such as the type and temperature of the gas flowing in the flow tube member 4A. In other words, the characteristics such as the type and temperature of the gas can be measured from the temperature information detected by the thermopile 7C or 7D.

In the case of the detection element 12, since the temperature distribution is shifted to the downstream side by the flow of the gas, the change in the temperature distribution in the direction of blocking the flow is smaller than the change in the temperature distribution in the direction of the flow of the gas. Therefore, the change in the output characteristics of the thermopiles 7C and 7D due to the change in the temperature distribution can be reduced. Therefore, the influence of the change in the temperature distribution due to the flow of the gas can be reduced, and the measurement based on the characteristics of the detection element 12 can be performed.

Further, since the longitudinal direction of the micro-heater 6A is arranged along the flow direction of the gas, the micro-heater 6A can heat the gas over a wide range in the flow direction of the gas. Therefore, even when the temperature distribution is concentrated on the downstream side due to the flow of the gas, the variation in the output characteristics of the thermopiles 7C and 7D can be reduced. Therefore, the influence of the change in the temperature distribution due to the flow of the gas is reduced, and the measurement based on the characteristics of the detection element 12 can be performed.

Further, since the longitudinal directions of the thermopiles 7C and 7D are arranged along the gas flow direction, the thermopiles 7C and 7D can detect the temperature over a wide range in the gas flow direction. Therefore, even when the temperature distribution is concentrated on the downstream side due to the flow of the gas, the variation in the output characteristics of the thermopiles 7C and 7D can be reduced. Therefore, the influence of the change in the temperature distribution due to the flow of the gas can be reduced, and the characteristics can be measured.

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates an example of a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the flow rate measuring apparatus 100A. The control unit 2 includes a characteristic measuring unit 13 in addition to the flow rate measuring unit 11 and the micro-heater control unit 10. Here, the property measurement unit 13 is an example of the "property measurement unit" of the present invention. The property measurement unit 13 receives the signals output from the thermopiles 7C and 7D, and calculates the properties of the gas.

The micro-heater controller 10 applies a driving voltage to the micro-heaters 6 and 6A based on a predetermined interval between the application of the driving voltage. Here, the driving voltage applied to the micro-heater 6A is an example of the "second driving voltage" of the present invention. The micro-heater control unit 10 can control the interval of applying the driving voltage for driving the micro-heater 6 and the interval of applying the driving voltage for driving the micro-heater 6A to arbitrary values. The micro-heater controller 10 can control the driving voltage applied to the micro-heaters 6 and 6A to an arbitrary value.

Fig. 14 schematically illustrates an example of a flowchart showing a processing procedure for measuring the characteristics of the flow rate measurement device 100A. The flow rate measuring apparatus 100A measures the characteristics of the gas in accordance with the characteristic measurement procedure shown in fig. 14, in addition to the flow rate measurement shown in fig. 8. The processing steps are merely examples, and each process may be changed as much as possible. In addition, according to the embodiment, omission, replacement, and addition of steps can be appropriately performed for the processing steps.

(step S201)

In step S201, the micro-heater controller 10 applies a driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A. The drive voltage is, for example, rectangular wave-shaped. Then, the gas heating by the micro-heater 6A is started. The micro-heater control unit 10 controls the driving voltage and the time for applying the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A. Here, the drive voltage and the time for applying the drive voltage to the micro-heater 6A are predetermined values.

(step S202)

In step S202, the micro-heater control unit 10 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed for applying the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A.

(step S203)

In step S203, the micro-heater control section 10 stops the application of the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A.

(step S204)

In step S204, the micro-heater control unit 10 determines whether or not the desired characteristic measurement has been performed the number of times. When the desired characteristic measurement is performed the number of times, the measurement is ended.

(step S205)

In step S205, the micro-heater control unit 10 determines whether or not the interval time for applying the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A has elapsed. Here, the interval at which the driving voltage is applied to the micro-heater 6A is predetermined. When the interval time for applying the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A has elapsed, the micro-heater control unit 10 resumes the application of the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A.

The measurement of the gas property by the property measurement unit 13 is performed during the period from the application of the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A in step S201 to the elapse of the heating time in step S202. However, the flow rate measurement device 100A can change the drive voltage applied to the micro-heater 6A and the interval between the application of the drive voltage to the micro-heater 6A during the above measurement. When the interval for applying the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A is shortened, the measurement of the characteristic of the gas by the characteristic measurement unit 13 is continued even after the heating time of S202 described above has elapsed.

[ action and Effect ]

The flow rate measurement device 100A achieves the following operations and effects in addition to the operations and effects of the flow rate measurement device 100.

The flow rate measurement device 100A can also intermittently measure the characteristics of the gas by detecting the diffusion of heat due to the characteristics of the gas by the detection element 12, which is a thermal flow rate sensor.

The detection signals output from the thermopiles 7C and 7D are output in which the influence of the change in the heat distribution due to the gas flow is reduced. That is, the flow rate measurement device 100A can measure the characteristics of the gas with high accuracy.

Further, since the flow rate measuring device 100A controls the driving voltage for driving the micro-heater 6A to an arbitrary value, the degree of heating of the gas in the vicinity of the micro-heater 6A can be finely adjusted. That is, the flow rate measurement device 100A can finely adjust the measurement accuracy of the gas characteristics and the degree of energy cost saving.

The flow rate measuring apparatus 100A also controls the interval of applying the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A to an arbitrary value. That is, the flow rate measuring apparatus 100A can intermittently drive the micro-heater 6A by shortening the interval between the application of the drive voltage to the micro-heater 6A. That is, the flow rate measurement device 100A can improve the degree of heating of the gas without increasing the driving voltage of the micro-heater 6A, and can improve the measurement accuracy of the gas characteristics. On the contrary, the interval between the application of the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A can be increased without reducing the driving voltage of the micro-heater 6A, and the degree of heating of the gas can be reduced, thereby saving energy costs. That is, this configuration enables fine adjustment of the measurement accuracy of the gas characteristics and the degree of energy cost saving by controlling the interval of application of the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A, in addition to the control of the driving voltage for driving the micro-heater 6A.

In addition, when the intermittent driving is performed, the flow rate measurement device 100A can control the increase and decrease of the driving voltage of the micro-heater 6A and the interval of applying the driving voltage to the micro-heater 6A to various values, and realize the measurement mode of the characteristics of the plurality of gases.

The flow rate measurement device 100A does not perform feedback control when measuring the characteristics of the gas. Thus, there is no fear that the calculation area or the storage area increases.

＜4.2＞

In the modification < 4.1 >, the detection element 1 and the detection element 12 are provided in one flow path of the flow tube member 4A, but the detection element 1 and the detection element 12 may be provided in separate flow paths. Fig. 15 schematically illustrates an example in which a flow rate measurement device 100B is provided in a flow tube member 4B provided with two flow path sections, namely, a main flow path section 14 and a sub flow path section 15.

Here, the flow rate measuring device 100B includes a disk-shaped circuit board 16, a cover 17 covering an outer surface of the circuit board 16, and a seal 18 for bonding the circuit board 16 and the flow tube member 4B. The flow tube member 4B includes two flow path portions, i.e., a main flow path portion 14 and a sub flow path portion 15. The main flow path portion 14 is a tubular member. The sub-flow path portion 15 is located on the side of the main flow path portion 14, and has a sub-flow path formed therein. Fig. 16 schematically illustrates an example of a partially enlarged view of the sub flow path portion 15. The main channel portion 14 and the sub channel portion 15 communicate with each other via an inflow channel 19 and an outflow channel 20. The sub-channel section 15 includes a first channel 21 branched from the inflow channel 19 and provided with the detection element 1, and a second channel 22 branched from the inflow channel 19 and provided with the detection element 12. The first channel 21 and the second channel 22 branched from the inflow channel 19 merge together to form the outflow channel 20.

The first flow path 21 is a substantially コ -type flow path. The first flow path 21 has a detection element arrangement portion 23A in the middle of the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the main flow path portion 14), and the detection element arrangement portion 23A is provided with the detection element 1 for detecting the flow rate of the gas.

The second channel 22 is also an approximately コ -type channel, similarly to the first channel 21. The second flow path 22 has a detection element arrangement portion 23B in the middle of the longitudinal direction (the direction parallel to the main flow path portion 14), and the detection element arrangement portion 23B is provided with the detection element 12 for measuring the characteristics of the gas. Here, the micro-heater 6A and the thermopiles 7C and 7D of the detection element 12 are not illustrated, but are arranged side by side in the direction of the flow of the barrier gas.

The flow rate measuring apparatus 100B is fixed to the flow tube member 4B as follows. First, the sub-channel 15 and the circuit board 16 are bonded together by the sealing material 18. After that, the surface of the circuit board 16 is covered with the cover 17. By such a fixing method, airtightness inside the sub flow path portion 15 is ensured. This prevents air outside the flow tube member 4B from entering the sub-flow path section 15 and affecting the detection of the flow rate and the characteristics.

Fig. 17 schematically illustrates an example of a cross-sectional view when the flow rate measurement device 100B is provided in the flow tube unit 4B. The flow tube member 4B includes a resistor 24 in the vicinity of the sub-flow path portion 15. When the gas flows into the main channel portion 14, a part of the gas is blocked by the resistor 24, passes through the inflow channel 19, and flows into the sub-channel portion 15. Then, the gas having the same characteristics such as temperature and pressure flows into the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 branched from the sub-flow path portion 15.

[ action and Effect ]

The flow rate measurement device 100B achieves the following operations and effects in addition to the operations and effects of the flow rate measurement device 100A.

In the flow rate measuring apparatus 100B, the flow rates of the gases branched into the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 22 can be individually controlled by adjusting the widths of the respective flow paths. Therefore, it is possible to control the flow rate of the gas flowing through the first flow path 21 in accordance with the detection range of the detection element 1 and to control the flow rate of the gas flowing through the second flow path 22 in accordance with the detection range of the detection element 12.

Therefore, the flow rate measuring apparatus 100B can detect the flow rate and the characteristics of the gas at the optimum flow rate according to the detection range specific to each detection element. Thus, the detection elements 1 and 12 can measure the flow rate and the characteristics of the gas with high accuracy.

In the flow rate measuring apparatuses 100A and 100B, the micro-heater 6A and the thermopiles 7C and 7D are arranged in parallel in the direction of blocking the flow of the gas, but the micro-heater 6A and the thermopiles 7C and 7D may be arranged in parallel along the flow of the gas. Further, the characteristics of the gas may be measured based on the output of the thermopile 7C or 7D.

The flow rate measurement devices 100A and 100B may correct the measured flow rate based on the measured characteristics of the gas.

In the flow rate measurement devices 100, 100A, and 100B, the characteristics of the gas may be measured based on the output of the thermopile 7A or 7B.

The embodiments or modifications disclosed above can be combined separately.

In the following, in order to make it possible to compare the constituent elements of the present invention with the configurations of the embodiments, constituent conditions of the present invention are described with reference numerals.

< invention 1 >)

A flow rate measurement device (100) that intermittently measures a flow rate of a fluid, the device comprising:

a heating unit (6) that heats a fluid;

a control unit (2) that controls a drive voltage for driving the heating unit (6) or an interval for applying the drive voltage to an arbitrary value;

temperature detection units (7A, 7B) that detect temperature information of the heated fluid;

a flow rate measuring unit (11) for measuring the flow rate of the fluid based on the detection signal outputted from the temperature detecting unit,

when the flow rate is intermittently measured, the control unit (2) changes the heating amount of the heating unit (6) in each measurement by changing the interval at which the driving voltage is applied.

< invention 2 >

In the flow rate measuring device (100) according to invention 1,

in the intermittent measurement, the interval of applying the driving voltage is set to be constant, and the interval of applying the driving voltage is shortened in a specific measurement.

< invention 3 >)

In the flow rate measuring device (100) according to invention 1 or 2,

the drive voltage for each of the intermittent measurements is composed of a single rectangular wave voltage, and in a specific measurement, the drive voltage is composed of a plurality of rectangular wave voltages.

< invention 4 >

A flow rate measuring device (100) according to any one of the inventions 1 to 3,

when the flow rate is intermittently measured, the control unit (2) changes the heating amount of the heating unit (6) in each measurement by changing the driving voltage.

< invention 5 >

The flow rate measurement device (100A, 100B) according to any one of inventions 1 to 4 further includes:

a second heating unit (6A);

second temperature detection units (7C, 7D) that are provided in parallel across the second heating unit (6A) in a direction that blocks the flow of the fluid;

a property measuring unit (13) for measuring the property of the fluid based on the detection signal outputted from the second temperature detecting unit (7C, 7D),

the control unit (2) further controls a second driving voltage for driving the second heating units (7C, 7D) or an interval for applying the second driving voltage to an arbitrary value.