Battery change indicator for detectors

Abstract

The smoke detector includes a change indicator that can prevent the cover from at least partially covering the battery position and / or the mounting of the detector body to the detector mount when the battery is not located at the battery position of the detector body. The detector mount and / or the cover can be engaged with the detector body by relative rotation about an engagement axis, and the change indicator can be pivoted about a pivot axis parallel to the engagement axis and / or moved along a linear path. The change indicator can prevent engagement of a portion of the detector mount, such as an intermediate component located between the detector body and the base of the detector mount, with the detector body. The intermediate component can at least partially cover the battery position when engaged with the detector body. The base of the detector mount can be engaged with the detector body via the intermediate component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to, for example, smoke detectors and other surface mounted devices that include replaceable batteries. Background Art

[0002] Smoke detectors are commonly used to detect conditions in a room or other space, such as smoke, fire, carbon monoxide, and other potentially hazardous conditions. Many smoke detectors include replaceable batteries, for example, to provide backup power at least when the main power is interrupted. Summary of the invention

[0003] In some embodiments, the smoke detector may include a change indicator that is movable to prevent the detector body from engaging with the detector mount and / or the cover being positioned to at least partially cover the battery position when the battery is not held in the battery position. In some cases, the detector mount may include both a base and an intermediate component, and the change indicator may prevent the intermediate component from engaging with the detector body when the battery is not in the battery position. The intermediate component may be used as a cover, for example, to at least partially cover the battery position, and may be used to interconnect the base and the detector body. Thus, the change indicator and the intermediate component / cover may provide a convenient indication to the user that a battery is needed, for example, because the user may know that the battery is not properly placed in the battery position before the user attempts to mount the detector to the ceiling or wall. For example, in a configuration where the change indicator prevents the detector body from engaging with the base mounted to the ceiling, the user will only know that a battery is needed after the user attempts (and fails) to mount the detector body to the base mounted to the ceiling. This may be inconvenient, for example, because the user may have climbed a ladder to mount the detector body to the base, only to find that the installation requires a battery. In contrast, in embodiments where the detector mount includes a base and an intermediate component, the user may learn that batteries are needed before climbing a ladder or otherwise being used to install the detector body, because engagement of the intermediate component with the detector body is performed (or attempted) before the detector body is mounted to a wall or ceiling. With the batteries appropriately positioned at the battery location of the detector body, the intermediate component may first be engaged with the detector body, e.g., before climbing a ladder, and then the combined detector body and intermediate component may be mounted to the base.

[0004] In some embodiments, a smoke detector includes a detector body having a battery position configured to receive and hold a battery for use with an electronic component of the smoke detector. The detector mount may be configured to be fixed to a surface and configured to support the smoke detector on the surface, and may be configured to engage the detector body in a releasable manner to at least partially cover the battery position. For example, the detector mount may include a base configured to be fixed to a surface and an intermediate component configured to engage with the detector body, for example, to at least partially cover the battery position. The change indicator may be configured to move between a first position in which the change indicator is located when a battery is held in the battery position and a second position in which the change indicator is located when no battery is held in the battery position. The change indicator and the detector mount may be configured to prevent engagement of the detector body with the detector mount when the change indicator is in the second position, and to allow engagement of the detector body with the detector mount when the change indicator is in the first position. For example, in the case where the detector mount includes an intermediate component, if the change indicator is in the second position, the change indicator may prevent engagement of the intermediate component with the detector body. In some cases, the base may be configured to engage with the detector body via an intermediate component, for example, an intermediate component may be required to engage the detector body with the base.

[0005] In some embodiments, the change indicator is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position around a pivot axis oriented along a direction to receive a battery at the battery position. For example, the detector body may have an upper surface arranged in a plane, and the change indicator may be configured to pivot between a first position and a second position around a pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the plane. In some cases, the detector body and the detector mounting member may be configured to engage by relative rotation around an engagement axis, and the change indicator may be configured to pivot between a first position and a second position around a pivot axis oriented along a direction parallel to the engagement axis. In some embodiments, the change indicator may be configured to pivot around the pivot axis and slide along the pivot axis in the movement between the first position and the second position. For example, the change indicator may be configured to pivot between a first position and a second position around a pivot axis within the battery position, and have a portion extending out of the battery position when the change indicator is in the second position. In some embodiments, the change indicator may move between a first position and a second position along a spiral ramp. The change indicator may be resiliently biased to move toward the second position and configured such that the battery at the battery location maintains the change indicator in the first position.

[0006] The change indicator may prevent engagement of the detector mount and the detector body in different ways. For example, the change indicator in the second position may be configured to prevent the detector mount from being positioned appropriately adjacent to the detector body for engaging the detector body with the detector mount. In some cases, the change indicator in the second position may be configured to prevent the detector mount from being rotated relative to the detector body for engaging the detector body with the detector mount, for example, the change indicator may prevent the intermediate component from rotating relative to the detector body for engagement. For example, the detector mount and the detector body may be configured to engage by relative rotation about an engagement axis, and the change indicator may be configured to prevent relative rotation suitable for engagement of the detector mount and the detector body when in the second position.

[0007] In some embodiments, a smoke detector includes a detector body having a battery position configured to receive and hold a battery for use with an electronic component of the smoke detector. The cover can be configured to at least partially cover the battery position, for example, by at least partially covering the battery position by moving relative to the detector body. The change indicator can be configured to move between a first position in which the change indicator is located when a battery is held in the battery position and a second position in which the change indicator is located when no battery is held in the battery position. The change indicator and the cover can be configured to prevent the cover from at least partially covering the battery position when the change indicator is in the second position, and to allow the cover to at least partially cover the battery position when the change indicator is in the first position. In some cases, the change indicator can be configured to both pivotally move and move along a linear path between the first position and the second position.

[0008] In some embodiments, the cover may be a portion of a detector mount configured to be secured to a surface and to support the smoke detector on the surface. For example, the detector mount may include a base configured to be secured to a surface, and the cover may be an intermediate component of the detector mount configured to releasably engage with both the base and the detector body. In some cases, the cover may be required to engage the detector body with the base. The cover may be configured to engage with the detector body via rotation about an engagement axis, and the change indicator may be configured to pivot about a pivot axis parallel to the engagement axis. In some cases, the change indicator may be configured to prevent the cover from rotating about the engagement axis into engagement with the detector body when in the second position.

[0009] In some aspects, the smoke detector includes a mounting member having two parts, for example, a base configured to be fixed to a surface, such as a ceiling, and an intermediate member that can be removably attached to both the base and the detector body (which can accommodate smoke, fire and other environmental sensors). The two-part detector mounting member can provide a more flexible configuration of the detector and / or an easier use of the detector, such as by allowing the base to be more easily attached to the ceiling and / or the configuration of the detector for different operating conditions. For example, since the base does not need to include functional components or other components (such as fins or other air movement-affecting parts) included in the intermediate member, the base can include larger, additional or otherwise more convenient features for fixing the base to the surface. This can allow the base to be more easily mounted to a wide variety of different mounting surfaces. In addition, since the base can be interconnected with the detector body through the intermediate member, a single base configuration can be used with detector bodies or intermediate members configured in different ways. This can allow flexible configuration of detectors for different environments, for example, different environments may require different air flow requirements and / or detection features. As an example, the intermediate component can be used as an adapter to allow the detector mount to be used with different detector body arrangements that, for example, may need to provide different sensor functions. In addition, the intermediate component can be provided with functional features to direct air flow, such as fins or other elements, and thus different intermediate component arrangements can be interchanged to provide different air flow or other functional effects. Therefore, by interchanging the intermediate components, the smoke detector can be configured for different operating environments. In addition, because the intermediate component does not need to include features for mounting to a ceiling or other surface, the functional features can be arranged on the intermediate component in any suitable manner without considering the limitations of ceiling or other surface mounting.

[0010] In some embodiments, a smoke detector includes a detector body having components for detecting environmental conditions at the smoke detector, such as smoke, fire, heat, combustion gases, etc. The detector mount may be configured to support the smoke detector on a surface, and the detector mount may include a base configured to be fixed to the surface and an intermediate component configured to removably engage with both the base and the detector body, such that the base engages with the detector body via the intermediate component. In some cases, the intermediate component may be required to engage the detector body with the base, i.e., the detector body cannot engage with or be mounted to the base without the intermediate component.

[0011] In some cases, the intermediate component includes fins or other features to direct the air flow toward the detector component of the detector body. For example, the intermediate component may include an opening through which the detector component receives air, and the fins may be configured to direct the air flow toward the opening. In some embodiments, the opening is located in the center of the intermediate component, and a portion of the detector body may extend through the opening, for example, so that the detector body can receive air through the opening.

[0012] In some embodiments, the intermediate component and the detector body are configured to engage by the rotation of the intermediate component relative to the detector body. For example, the intermediate component may include a periphery having one or more protrusions, for example, one or more protrusions extending radially outward from the periphery, configured to engage with corresponding hooks on the detector body. In some cases, the detector body may include one or more hooks, one or more hooks configured to engage with corresponding grooves of the intermediate component, for example, by positioning the hook in the corresponding groove and rotating the intermediate component so that the hook engages a portion of the intermediate component at the end of the groove. In some embodiments, one or more hooks may each include a ramp configured to engage with the intermediate component and move the intermediate component away from the detector body in response to the rotation of the intermediate component in a direction opposite to the direction in which the intermediate component and the detector body can engage with each other. This arrangement can certainly disconnect the intermediate component from the detector body and send a signal to the user that the disconnection is completed.

[0013] In some embodiments, the intermediate component and the base can be configured to engage by rotation of the intermediate component relative to the base. For example, the intermediate component can include a periphery with one or more protrusions, one or more protrusions, for example, equally spaced around the periphery, configured to engage with corresponding hooks on the base.

[0014] In some cases, the intermediate component is configured to at least partially cover the battery location of the detector body when the intermediate component is engaged with the detector body. Thus, the detector body and the intermediate component can be removed from the base together, and then the intermediate component is removed from the detector body to replace the battery. When the battery replacement is complete, the intermediate component can be reengaged with the detector body and the combined detector body and intermediate component installed to the base.

[0015] In some cases, the base can define a cavity or other space in which air can be received for delivery to the detector components of the detector base, and / or a portion of the intermediate component or detector body can be received in the cavity or other space. In some embodiments, the base can include a sidewall with an opening to allow air flow to enter the space defined by the base. The space can be at least partially enclosed by the base and the intermediate component, and / or a portion of the intermediate component or detector body can be received in the space.

[0016] Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Various aspects of the systems and methods described herein are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of a smoke detector in an illustrative embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top perspective view of a smoke detector;

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 an exploded view of a smoke detector with the detector body and intermediate component removed from the mounting base;

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of a smoke detector with the middle component separated from the detector body;

[0022] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A top perspective view of the middle part of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A top view of the middle part;

[0024] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A top perspective view of a detector body;

[0025] Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the detector body illustrating a change indicator; and

[0026] Fig. 9 is a top perspective view of a change indicator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following describes various aspects of the systems and methods described herein by one or more illustrative embodiments. It should be understood that the illustrative embodiments described are not intended to limit the various aspects, but are intended to help show how one or more aspects can be implemented in a specific example. In addition, various aspects can be implemented individually and / or in combination with other aspects. For example, some of the following aspects relate to a detector with a two-part mounting member, the two-part mounting member having a base and an intermediate member, while other aspects relate to a change indicator that can be moved based on whether the battery is received at the battery position, and if not received, the detector body can be prevented from engaging with the mounting member. In other aspects, the detector mounting member can define a cavity, and air can be received in the cavity and transmitted to the detector component of the detector body. These aspects and other aspects can be used together, used alone and / or in any suitable combination with each other, for example, the detector can include a two-part mounting member arrangement, but does not include a change indicator and / or an air receiving cavity, or the detector can use a change indicator with a single-part mounting member and / or no air receiving cavity.

[0028] In some aspects, a smoke detector may include a body (e.g., accommodating one or more detector components for detecting smoke, fire, heat, carbon monoxide, fine particles, and / or other environmental conditions) and a detector mounting member, the detector mounting member including two parts-a base that can be fixed to a ceiling or other surface, the detector supported on the base, and an intermediate member positioned between the base and the detector body. The base and / or the intermediate member may be engaged with the detector body, for example, the base may be directly engaged with the detector body, or the base may be engaged with the detector body via the intermediate member. The intermediate member may provide various benefits, particularly in the case where the base is engaged with the detector body via the intermediate member. For example, since the intermediate member does not need to be configured to be fixed to a ceiling, wall, or other surface, the intermediate member does not need to have an opening or other feature to accommodate a fastener. Alternatively, the base may be configured with such a feature alone to allow the base to be fixed to a ceiling or other surface. This allows the intermediate member to be configured in any suitable manner, for example, for performing various functions without considering enabling the intermediate member to be fixed to a ceiling or other surface. For example, in some embodiments, the intermediate component may include fins, openings or other features to guide or otherwise affect air flow to one or more components of the detector body. Because the intermediate component does not need to be configured to be fixed to the ceiling, the intermediate component may have larger fins, more fins, more closely spaced fins, larger openings, etc. than would otherwise be possible, for interacting with the air flow. In addition, or alternatively, having an intermediate component separated from the base of the detector mount may allow one intermediate component to be replaced with another intermediate component, for example, to construct a detector for different conditions. As an example, compared to a position where less air flow restriction is required, another position may require an intermediate component to restrict air flow. By replacing the intermediate component with another intermediate component having different functional characteristics, the detector may be configured for different operating conditions and / or provide other functional characteristics. In some cases, the intermediate component and base of the detector mount may define a cavity, and air may enter the cavity and be received by one or more detector components of the detector body. Different intermediate components may allow configurations of different cavity features, such as expanding or reducing the size of the cavity, thereby providing more or less air flow restrictions, etc.

[0029] Figure 1 and Figure 2The bottom and top perspective views of the smoke detector 1 in some embodiments are shown. As used herein, the smoke detector can be configured to detect any suitable environmental conditions, such as smoke, fire, heat, carbon monoxide and / or fine particles, and is therefore not limited to detecting smoke. In some embodiments, the detector 1 includes a mounting member 3, which can be configured to be fixed to a surface, such as a ceiling or a wall, and the smoke detector 1 is supported on the surface. In some embodiments, the detector mounting member 3 includes two separable parts, such as a base 31 configured to be fixed to a surface and an intermediate member 32. For example, a detector body 2 including components for detecting environmental conditions such as smoke, fire, heat, carbon monoxide, etc. can be fixed to the mounting member 3 at the smoke detector 1 and thus fixed to the surface. In some embodiments, the intermediate member 32 can be configured to engage with both the base 31 and the detector body 2 in a removable manner, so that the base 31 engages with the detector body 2 via the intermediate member 32. That is, the intermediate member 32 can be configured to engage with the detector body 2, and is configured to engage with the base 31, so that the base 31 and the body 2 can be fixed together. However, in some embodiments, the base 31 and the body 2 may be configured so that the two can be fixed together without the intermediate component 32. That is, in some embodiments, the base 31 and the body 2 may be configured to be directly engaged with each other without the need for the intermediate component 32, which may be simply positioned between the base 31 and the body 2, engaged with the base 31 or the body 2 alone, or eliminated entirely.

[0030] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1Exploded view of an embodiment, wherein the base 31 is separated from the intermediate component 32 and the body 2. In some embodiments, the base 31 is configured to be fixed to a ceiling, wall or other surface, and may have suitable features that enable such engagement, such as one or more openings 33 to receive fasteners, adhesives and / or hook and loop fasteners, hooks, etc. that are fixed to the surface. Therefore, the base 31 can be fixed to the ceiling or other surface separated from the intermediate component 32 and the body 2, and thereafter the intermediate component 32 and the body 2 can be engaged with the base 31 to fix the detector 1 to the surface. In some embodiments, the intermediate component 32 and the base 31 can be configured to be engaged by rotating the intermediate component 32 relative to the base 31. Therefore, if the intermediate component 32 is engaged with the body 2, the body 2 and the intermediate component 32 can be engaged with the base 31 by rotating the body 2 and the intermediate component 32 relative to the base 31. In some embodiments, the intermediate component 32 includes a periphery having one or more protrusions 34, which are configured to engage with corresponding hooks 35 on the base 31. As an example, the periphery of the intermediate component 32 may include a notch 34a adjacent to the corresponding protrusion 34, the notch 34a being configured to receive the hook 35 of the base 31 when the base 31 and the intermediate component 32 are positioned adjacent to each other. With the hook 35 positioned in the corresponding notch 34a, the intermediate component 32 (and the attached body 2) may be rotated relative to the base 31 to position a portion of the hook 35 under the corresponding protrusion 34 and thereby engage the intermediate component 32 (and the body 2) with the base 31. Other arrangements may be used to engage the intermediate component 32 with the base 31, such as keyhole slots and clamp engagement features, bayonet connectors, spring protrusions, threads, cam and cam follower engagements, etc.

[0031] Figure 3It is also illustrated that, in some embodiments, the base 31 can be configured to define a cavity, for example, a portion of the intermediate component 32 and / or a portion of the body 2 can be received in the cavity. The base 31 can also be configured to allow air flow to enter the cavity, for example, via one or more openings 36 at the side walls of the base 31. That is, the base 31 can include an upper wall (for example, which is positioned against a ceiling or other surface) and a side wall extending downward from the upper wall. The side wall can define the cavity together with the upper wall, and can include an opening 36 to allow air flow to enter the cavity. The air entering the cavity or other space (for example, defined by the base 31 and the intermediate component 32) can be received by one or more detector components of the detector body 2, and one or more detector components can be at least partially positioned in the cavity or other space. In some embodiments, the intermediate component 32 can be configured to interact with the air in the cavity, for example, to guide the air flow to a portion of the detector component of the detector body 2 where the detector component is located. For example, the intermediate component 32 may include one or more fins 37 or other features to direct the air flow toward the detector components of the detector body 2 or other portions 21 of the detector body 2 that are configured to receive air from the cavity or space defined by the base 31 and the intermediate component 32. The fins 37 may be equally spaced around the intermediate component 32 and extend radially outward from the opening 38, for example. The intermediate component 32 may include other air flow influencing features, such as baffles, diffusers, turbulence inducing elements, restrictors, etc., depending on the desired effect on the air in the cavity, and different intermediate components 32 may be used to produce different effects on the air in the cavity. One or more portions of the base 31 may also include air flow features, for example, to direct the air flow, produce turbulence or mixing effects, etc. In some embodiments, the base 31 may include fins, ribs or other features that are arranged opposite or laterally to the fins or other air flow features 37 of the intermediate component 32. Figure 3 The option of the base 31 including concentric rings, ribs or fins is shown, for example, the center of the concentric rings, ribs or fins is approximately the center of the opening 38 of the intermediate member 32. These concentric ribs can be generally perpendicular to the nearby fins 37 and can disrupt the air flow in the direction of the fins 37 or induce turbulence in the air flow in the direction of the fins 37. Of course, other air flow feature arrangements can be provided on the base 31.

[0032] In some embodiments, fins or other air flow features 37 can be configured to direct the air flow radially inward toward the center of the intermediate member 32 or other location where the detector body 2 can receive air. Figure 4An exploded view of the intermediate component 32 and the detector body 2 is shown, and it is illustrated that in some embodiments, the intermediate component 32 may include an opening 38 through which a portion 21 of the detector body 2 may extend and / or receive air. In some cases, the fin 37 may be configured to direct the air flow toward the opening 38, and the opening 38 may be located in the center of the intermediate component 32. In some embodiments, for example, when the intermediate component 32 is engaged with the body 2, a portion 21 of the detector body 2 may extend through the opening 38. The portion 21 may be configured to receive air from the cavity and / or position at least a portion of the detector component in the cavity. In some embodiments, the portion 21 may include one or more openings 22 through which air may enter the body 2.

[0033] In some embodiments, the intermediate component 32 can be removably engageable with the detector body 2 and can be engaged / disengaged by rotation of the intermediate component 32 relative to the detector body. In some cases, the intermediate component can have a peripheral edge with one or more protrusions 39 configured to engage with corresponding hooks 23 on the detector body 2. Figure 5 and Figure 6 A top perspective view and a top view of the intermediate component 32 are shown, and illustrate how the protrusions 39 extend radially outward from the outer periphery of the intermediate component 32. In some embodiments, the intermediate component 32 may have three protrusions 39 spaced 120 degrees apart around the periphery of the intermediate component 32. The hooks 23 on the detector body 2 may be similarly positioned and configured so that the periphery of the intermediate component 32 can be received in the area between the hooks 23 as long as the protrusions 39 are positioned away from the hooks 23. With the intermediate component 32 located in the area between the hooks 23, the intermediate component 32 may be rotated relative to the body 2, for example, clockwise, so that the protrusions 39 are received and captured by the corresponding hooks 23. The protrusions 39 and / or the hooks 23 may include a stopper so that the intermediate component 32 is prevented from rotating beyond a certain point, for example, when the protrusions 39 are properly engaged with the hooks 23, the stopper may prevent further rotation of the intermediate component 32. In some embodiments, the hooks 23 may serve as a stopper for the engagement of the base 31 with the intermediate component 32. For example, when the hook 35 of the base 31 is received in the recess 34a and the intermediate component 32 is rotated so that the hook 35 engages with the protrusion 34, the hook 35 can be moved to contact the hook 23 on the detector body 2. At this time, further rotation of the base 31 relative to the intermediate component 32 and the body 2 can be blocked by the hook 23.

[0034] In some embodiments, the intermediate member 32 may be engaged with the detector body 2 in other or additional ways other than by hook and protrusion engagement at the periphery of the intermediate member 32. For example, in some embodiments, as Figure 4As shown, the detector body 2 may include one or more capture members 24 configured to engage with corresponding slots 40 on the intermediate component 32. In some embodiments, the detector body 2 may include three capture members 24 positioned at circumferentially equidistant positions on the body 2, such that the capture members 24 all engage with corresponding slots 24 of the intermediate component 32. For example, the intermediate component 32 may be positioned on the body 2 such that an upper portion of the capture member 24 is received in a corresponding slot 40 of the intermediate component 32. With each capture member 24 received in a corresponding slot 40, the intermediate component 32 may be rotated relative to the body 2, such as clockwise, such that a portion of the intermediate component 32 at the end of each slot 40 is captured in a hook or recess of the capture member 24. This may secure the intermediate component 32 to the detector body 2, such that the intermediate component 32 cannot be removed from the body 2 without counterclockwise rotation.

[0035] In some embodiments, the capture member 40 may include Figure 4, the ramp at the upper surface shown in the middle part 32 is configured to engage with the middle part 32 and move the middle part 32 toward and away from the detector body 2 in response to the rotation of the middle part relative to the body 2. For example, the middle part 32 can be positioned on the body 2 so that the upper portion of the catch 24 forming the ramp is received in the corresponding groove 40 of the middle part 32. When the middle part 32 rotates, the first end of each groove 40 will travel along the corresponding ramp surface of the catch 24, and thus move the middle part 32 toward or away from the body 2 according to the direction of rotation. If the middle part 32 rotates in the clockwise direction, the first end of each groove 40 will travel downward along the ramp surface of the catch 24, thereby allowing the middle part 32 to gradually move toward the body 2 as the middle part 32 rotates, and until the middle part is fully seated on the body 2. Once the intermediate component 32 is in place, further clockwise rotation of the intermediate component 32 will cause a portion of the second end of each slot 40, opposite the first end, to be received into the hook or recess of the corresponding catch 24, thereby engaging the intermediate component 32 with the body 2. As the intermediate component 32 rotates, counterclockwise rotation of the intermediate component 32 will cause the second end of each slot to disengage from the catch 24 and cause the first end of each slot 40 to travel upward along the ramp surface of the corresponding catch 24. This upward travel of the first end of each slot 40 along the ramp surface of the catch 24 causes the intermediate component 32 to gradually move away from the detector body 2. Thus, the intermediate component 32 and the detector body 2 may be configured to engage by rotation of the intermediate component 32 relative to the detector body 2 in a first direction (e.g., clockwise), and the ramp on the catch 24 may be configured to engage with the intermediate component 32 and move the intermediate component 32 toward the detector body 2 when the intermediate component 32 is rotated in the first direction toward engagement with the body 2. The ramp engagement can help ensure proper alignment and engagement of the intermediate component 32 with the body 2, for example, by controlling the movement of the intermediate component 32 toward the body 2 during rotation, because the first end of the groove 40 follows the contour of the corresponding ramp during rotation of the intermediate component 32. In addition, the intermediate component 32 and the detector body 2 can be configured to be disengaged by rotation of the intermediate component 32 in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) opposite to the first direction, so that the intermediate component 32 moves away from the detector body 2 in response to the rotation of the intermediate component 32 in the second direction (e.g., counterclockwise). This arrangement can help ensure that the intermediate component 32 is properly disengaged from the body 2 in response to the rotation of the intermediate component 32 relative to the body 2. It is noted that the engagement of the intermediate component 32 with the body 2 can be achieved only by the catch 24 and the groove 40, and there is no engagement feature at the periphery of the intermediate component 32.

[0036] Another feature of the intermediate member 32 is that the intermediate member 32 can be operated to at least partially cover the battery position 25, the battery 26 (the battery 26 is located Figure 4 The battery position 25 on the right side can be received and held in the battery position for use by the electronic components of the smoke detector, for example, to receive power from the battery 26 and / or to charge the battery 26 or maintain the charge state of the battery 26. For example, the intermediate member 32 can help to hold the battery 26 in the battery position 25, for example, so that the battery 26 maintains appropriate electrical contact with the components of the detector 1. In some cases, the intermediate member 32 can be exposed to contact the battery 26 to help hold the battery 26 in the battery position 25.

[0037] In some embodiments, the battery location 25 may include a change indicator 27 configured to move between a first position in which the change indicator 27 is located when the battery 26 is held in the battery location 25 and a second position in which the change indicator 27 is located when no battery 26 is held in the battery location 26. If the change indicator 27 is in the second position, the change indicator 27 and the intermediate member 32 or other portion of the detector mount (such as the base 31) or another cover arranged to at least partially cover the battery location 25 can be configured to prevent engagement of the detector body 2 with the intermediate member 32 (or other portion of the detector mount). This can help ensure that the battery 26 is provided to the smoke detector 1 during operation, because if the battery 26 is not at the battery location 25, the detector 1 can be prevented from being mounted to a ceiling or other surface. For example, where the detector mount includes the intermediate component 32, the change indicator 27 in the second position may prevent portions of the intermediate component 32 (e.g., the protrusion 39 or the groove 40) from being properly positioned adjacent to and engaging portions of the detector body 2 (e.g., the hook 23 or the catch 24). As described above, in embodiments where the intermediate component 32 is required to mount the detector body 2 to the base 31, failure of the intermediate component 32 to engage the body 2 will also prevent the mounting of the body 2 to the base 31. Conversely, if the change indicator 27 is in the first position, the change indicator 27 may allow engagement of the detector body 2 with the detector mount (e.g., the intermediate component 32 and / or the base 31). For example, the change indicator 27 in the first position may allow engagement of the intermediate component 32 with the body 2, and thus allow engagement of the body 2 with the base 31. However, in some embodiments, if the battery 26 is not present, the change indicator 27 can prevent another type of covering arrangement, such as a lid hingedly attached to the detector body 2 or other component completely separate from the detector mount, from being moved to at least partially cover the battery location 25. Such a cover, if not in a suitable position to at least partially cover the battery location 25, or simply the change indicator 27 itself can operate to prevent engagement of the detector body 2 with the detector mount 3, such as the base 31.

[0038] exist Figure 42, the battery location 25 on the left does not hold a battery 26, and thus the change indicator 27 is in the second position. In the second position, a portion of the change indicator 27 extends from the upper surface of the detector body 2 (e.g., positioned around the battery location 25) and / or upward from the corresponding battery location 25, and thus prevents the middle member 32 (or other detector mounting portion or other cover for the battery location 25) from engaging with the detector body 2. For example, as described above, the middle member 32 can be configured to engage the detector body 2 by fitting the protrusions 39 under a portion of the corresponding hooks 23 when the middle member 32 is rotated relative to the body 2. However, when in the second position, the change indicator 27 can hold the middle member 32 appropriately away from the detector body 2 so that one or more protrusions 39 cannot engage with the corresponding hooks 23, thus preventing the middle member 32 from engaging with the detector body 2. In addition, or alternatively, the change indicator 27 can hold the middle member 32 appropriately away from the detector body 2 so that the capture member 24 cannot engage the middle member 32 at the corresponding groove 40. Thus, the user may receive an indication that the battery 26 is missing from the battery location 25, as the intermediate member 32 cannot engage with the detector body 2. This is also true in the event that the change indicator 27 prevents another covering arrangement, such as a hingedly mounted door on the detector body 2 that may be used to cover the battery location 25, from being moved into engagement over the battery location 25.

[0039] The change indicator 27 is not limited to preventing the engagement of the intermediate component 32 (or other detector mounting component 3 element or cover) with the body 2 by preventing the components from being positioned appropriately adjacent to each other. For example, when the change indicator 27 is in the second position, the change indicator 27 can engage the intermediate component 32 (or other detector mounting component or other covering arrangement) to prevent rotation relative to the body 2, for example, to prevent engagement of the intermediate component 32 with the body 2. For example, in some embodiments, the intermediate component 32 can include one or more engagement features 41, such as ribs, protrusions, notches, grooves, fins, etc., extending from or into the lower surface of the intermediate component 32 and configured to engage with the change indicator 27 in the second position to prevent rotation of the intermediate component 32 relative to the body 2. With this type of arrangement, the change indicator 27 does not need to hold the intermediate component 32 appropriately away to prevent engagement of the protrusions 29 / hooks 23 or the catches 24 / slots 40. Conversely, the intermediate component 32 may be permitted to be positioned adjacent to the body 2 (e.g., appropriately close for engagement), but the engagement feature 41 may prevent relative rotation of the intermediate component and body required for engagement of the intermediate component 32 (or other detector mount or cover component) and the body 2.

[0040] In some embodiments, the change indicator 27 can be configured to pivot about a pivot axis 28 between a first position and a second position. In some cases, the pivot axis 28 can be oriented along a direction in which the battery 26 is received in the battery position 25. In some embodiments, the detector body 2 can have a rear surface arranged in a plane, for example, around the battery position 25, and the pivot axis 28 can be oriented perpendicular to the plane. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the detector body 2 and the detector mount, such as the intermediate member 32, are configured to engage by relative rotation about an engagement axis 42, and the change indicator 27 can be configured to pivot about a pivot axis 28 that is oriented along a direction parallel to the engagement axis 42. As in Figure 4 As can be seen at the left change indicator 27 in the figure, the change indicator 27 can have a portion extending upwardly beyond the battery position 25 when in the second position, but the change indicator 27 can be positioned within the entrance of the battery position 25 or flush with the entrance of the battery position 25 when in the first position, such as Figure 4 As shown by the right change indicator 27 in .

[0041] To achieve this type of movement between the first position and the second position, the change indicator 27 can be configured to both pivot about the pivot axis 28 and slide along the pivot axis 28 or other linear path, for example, to move out of the battery position 25 and / or into the battery position 25 during pivoting between the first position and the second position. Figure 7 As can be seen in , the change indicator 27 can be configured to pivot about the pivot axis 28 within the battery location 25 between a first position and a second position, and have a portion extending out of the battery location 25 when the change indicator 27 is in the second position. For example, the change indicator 27 can be resiliently biased to move toward the second position, and configured so that the battery 26 at the battery location 25 maintains the change indicator 27 in the first position. Figure 7 2, the battery position 25 on the left has no battery 26 positioned at the position 25, and therefore the change indicator 27 is in the second position. In this case, the change indicator 27 is pivoted about the pivot axis 28 within the battery position 25 from the first position to the second position. When in the second position, the change indicator 27 not only prevents the engagement of the intermediate component 32 with the body 2, but also prevents the battery 26 from being placed in the battery position 25 unless the change indicator 27 is moved. In order to place the battery 26 in the battery position 25 on the left, the user can manually overcome the spring bias that forces the change indicator 27 to move to the second position and move the change indicator 27 in a clockwise direction (such as Figure 7 When the change indicator 27 is maintained in the first position, the battery 26 can be placed at the battery position 25, as shown in Figure 7Alternatively, when the battery 26 is positioned at the battery position 25, the user can use the battery 26 to move the change indicator 27 to the first position. For example, the user can slide the battery 26 from one end of the position 25 into the battery position 25 so that when the battery 26 is further inserted into the battery position 25, the front end of the battery 26 contacts the change indicator 27 and pivots the indicator 27 to the first position. When received at the battery position 25, the battery 26 can maintain the change indicator 27 in the first position, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown on the right side of the figure, the intermediate part 32 can be engaged with the body 2 (assuming that the batteries 26 are at two battery positions 25, so both change indicators 27 are in the first position; in some embodiments, only one battery position 25 and / or one change indicator 27 is required).

[0042] The change indicator 27 can be configured to move between the first position and the second position in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the change indicator 27 moves along a spiral ramp between the first position and the second position. For example, Figure 8 2 shows a lower perspective view of a portion of the detector body 2 with a variation indicator 27 mounted thereon. In this embodiment, the variation indicator 27 is mounted on a shaft 271 of the detector body 2, which includes a pair of spiral ramps 272 ( Figure 8 Only one ramp 272 is shown; the second ramp 272 is located at the rear side of the shaft 271). Fig. 9, the change indicator 27 includes an opening 273 that receives the shaft 271 so that the change indicator 27 can pivot about the pivot axis 28 on the shaft 271. A pair of cam followers 274 are configured in a portion of the opening 273 (e.g., a counterbore portion of the opening 273) to engage with a corresponding spiral ramp 272 at the base of the shaft 271. The spiral ramp 272 and cam followers 274 are configured so that when the change indicator 27 is pivoted to the first position, the change indicator 27 moves downward on the shaft 271 and pivots about the pivot axis 28. Conversely, when the change indicator 27 is pivoted to the second position, the spiral ramp 272 and cam followers 274 are configured so that the change indicator 27 moves upward on the shaft 271 and pivots about the pivot axis 28. A torsion spring 29 or other resilient element may be provided to bias or otherwise force the change indicator 27 to move to the second position and / or move upward on the shaft 271. Thus, if no battery 26 is located at the battery position 25, the change indicator 27 will tend to move to the second position. However, with the change indicator 27 in the first position, the battery 26 can be placed at the battery position 25, and the battery 26 can maintain the change indicator 27 in the first position as long as the battery 26 is at the battery position 25. The change indicator 27 and / or the detector body 2 can include one or more stops to determine the position of the change indicator 27 in the first position and the second position. For example, the change indicator 27 can include a stop 275 that can contact a corresponding stop 276 on the detector body 2 when the change indicator 27 is in the second position. In order to limit the position of the change indicator 27 in the first position, a pin 277 of the change indicator 27 can contact a portion of the body 2 at the battery position 25. The pin 277 can also be used to contact the intermediate component 32 to prevent the intermediate component 32 from engaging with the detector body 2 when the change indicator 27 is in the second position. As described above, the intermediate component 32 is engaged with the detector body 2 by rotating in a clockwise direction about the engagement axis 42 relative to the detector body 2. The pin 277 may engage with the intermediate component 32, for example, at the engagement feature 41, to prevent rotational movement of the intermediate component 32 relative to the detector body 2. The stops 275, 276 may prevent the change indicator 27 from moving beyond the second position (e.g., the change indicator 27 is rotated counterclockwise about the pivot axis 28 beyond the second position), and thus help prevent engagement of the intermediate component 32 with the body 2.

[0043] The operation of smoke detector components, such as one or more sensors for detecting smoke, fire, heat, carbon monoxide, fine particles, etc., can be controlled by a controller, which can include a programmed processor and / or other data processing device together with appropriate software or other operating instructions for performing the desired functions, one or more memories (including non-transitory storage media that can store software and / or other operating instructions), sensors, input / output interfaces (such as a user interface on the housing), communication modules (e.g., for wired and / or wireless communication), buses or other links, displays, switches, relays, triacs, speakers or other noise generating devices, batteries or other energy or power sources, or other components required to perform the desired input / output, control or other functions. The user interface can be arranged in any suitable manner and include any suitable components for providing information to and / or receiving information from a user, such as buttons, a touch screen, a voice command module (including a microphone for receiving audio information from a user and appropriate software for interpreting the audio information as voice commands), a visual display, one or more indicator lights, speakers, etc.

[0044] Although the systems and methods have been described with reference to various illustrative embodiments, these systems and methods are not limited to the described embodiments. Therefore, it is apparent that many alternatives, modifications and variations of the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the embodiments set forth herein are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. A smoke detector comprising: a detector body including a battery location configured to receive and retain a battery for use with electronic components of the smoke detector; a detector mount configured to be secured to a surface and configured to support the smoke detector on the surface, the detector mount configured to releasably engage the detector body to at least partially cover the battery location; as well as a change indicator configured to move between a first position in which the change indicator is positioned when a battery is held at the battery position and a second position in which the change indicator is positioned when no battery is held at the battery position, the change indicator and the detector mount configured to prevent engagement of the detector body with the detector mount when the change indicator is in the second position and to allow engagement of the detector body with the detector mount when the change indicator is in the first position; Wherein, the detector mounting member includes a base configured to be fixed to the surface and an intermediate component configured to engage with the detector body, the base is configured to engage with the detector body via the intermediate component, and the change indicator prevents the intermediate component from engaging with the detector body when the change indicator is in the second position.

2. The smoke detector according to claim 1, wherein: The intermediate component is required to join the detector body to the base.

3. The smoke detector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The intermediate member is configured to engage the detector body to at least partially cover the battery location.

4. The smoke detector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The change indicator is configured to pivot between the first position and the second position about a pivot axis oriented in a direction to receive the battery at the battery location.

5. The smoke detector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The detector body has an upper surface arranged in a plane, and the change indicator is configured to pivot between the first position and the second position about a pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the plane.

6. The smoke detector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The detector body and the detector mount are configured to engage by relative rotation about an engagement axis, and the change indicator is configured to pivot between the first position and the second position about a pivot axis oriented in a direction parallel to the engagement axis.

7. The smoke detector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The change indicator is configured to pivot about and slide along a pivot axis in movement between the first position and the second position.

8. The smoke detector according to claim 7, wherein: The change indicator is configured to pivot about the pivot axis within the battery position between the first position and the second position and has a portion extending out of the battery position when the change indicator is in the second position.

9. The smoke detector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The change indicator moves along a spiral ramp between the first position and the second position.

10. The smoke detector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The change indicator is resiliently biased to move toward the second position and is configured such that the battery at the battery location maintains the change indicator at the first position.

11. The smoke detector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The change indicator in the second position is configured to prevent the detector mount from being properly positioned adjacent to the detector body for engagement of the detector body with the detector mount.

12. The smoke detector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The base defines a cavity or other space into which air can be received for delivery to the detector components of the detector base and / or into which a portion of the intermediate component or the detector body can be received.

13. The smoke detector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The base includes a side wall with an opening to allow air flow into the space defined by the base.

14. The smoke detector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The detector mount and the detector body are configured to engage by relative rotation about an engagement axis, and the change indicator is configured to prevent relative rotation suitable for engagement of the detector mount and the detector body when in the second position.

15. A smoke detector comprising: a detector body including a battery location configured to receive and retain a battery for use with electronic components of the smoke detector; a detector mount configured to be secured to a surface and configured to support the smoke detector on the surface, the detector mount configured to releasably engage the detector body to at least partially cover the battery location; as well as A change indicator configured to move between a first position in which the change indicator is located when a battery is held at the battery position and a second position in which the change indicator is located when no battery is held at the battery position, the change indicator and the detector mount being configured to prevent engagement of the detector body with the detector mount when the change indicator is in the second position and to allow engagement of the detector body with the detector mount when the change indicator is in the first position, wherein the change indicator is configured to both pivot about and slide along the pivot axis in movement between the first position and the second position.

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