Gas alarm capable of improving use safety of user

Abstract

The utility model relates to a gas alarm capable of improving the use safety of a user, and belongs to the technical field of gas alarms. A display driving circuit; the microprocessor MCU is electrically connected with a power interface and a key in the gas alarm body and a communication serial port of a processor of the gas alarm body; the microprocessor MCU is also electrically connected with the display driving circuit and the digital display screen, and is used for displaying the read RTC information and gas concentration in the gas alarm body on the digital display screen. On one hand, the digital display screen is used for clock display, so that people cooking in a kitchen can conveniently observe clock information when necessary to observe time; and on the other hand, when the gas alarm detects that concentration data exist in the environment, the digital display screen is switched into gas concentration display, when a user habitually checks the gas alarm, the abnormal phenomenon of the gas concentration can be found in advance, and the potential safety hazard of use of the gas alarm is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of gas alarms, and in particular to a gas alarm that improves user safety. Background Technology

[0002] As natural gas, a clean energy source, becomes increasingly popular among urban residents, accidents caused by gas leaks are also gradually increasing. Relevant departments are paying more attention to gas safety and promoting the installation and use of household gas leak alarms.

[0003] The basic function of a gas alarm is to monitor the concentration of gas in the environment. When the concentration exceeds a predetermined level, it will issue an audible and visual alarm and shut off the gas supply. When the concentration is not exceeded and no other malfunction occurs, only the power indicator light will illuminate. To ensure the alarm functions properly, regular self-testing and maintenance should be performed.

[0004] Although gas alarms are becoming increasingly common, most of them are passively installed. People do not pay enough attention to gas safety, and some even ignore the existence of gas alarms. They also do not perform regular self-testing and basic maintenance as required, and only pay attention when the alarm sounds or malfunctions and issues an audible and visual warning.

[0005] Because users don't usually pay attention to gas alarms, they may not even notice when the gas alarm loses power, leaving it unprotected for extended periods and greatly increasing safety risks. Utility Model Content

[0006] To reduce the safety hazards associated with the use of gas alarms, this application provides a gas alarm that improves user safety, employing the following technical solution:

[0007] A gas alarm that improves user safety includes:

[0008] A digital display screen is used to show clock information and gas concentration;

[0009] Display driving circuit, used to drive the digital display screen to display;

[0010] The microprocessor (MCU) is electrically connected to the power interface, buttons, and communication serial port of the gas alarm's own processor inside the gas alarm body. The microprocessor (MCU) is also electrically connected to the display driver circuit and the digital display screen, and is used to display the RTC information and gas concentration read from inside the gas alarm body on the digital display screen.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, on the one hand, the digital display screen can be used for clock display, making it convenient for people cooking in the kitchen to observe the clock on the gas alarm when necessary, thus drawing their attention to the product; on the other hand, when the gas alarm body detects concentration data in the environment, the digital display screen switches to gas concentration display, so that when users habitually check the gas alarm body, they can detect abnormal gas concentration phenomena in advance, making it easier to detect danger in time; thus, the safety hazards of using gas alarms are reduced.

[0012] Optionally, the gas alarm further includes:

[0013] A speaker is used to output voice prompts.

[0014] A voice driving circuit, electrically connected to the microprocessor (MCU) and the speaker, is used to drive the speaker to output the voice prompt information.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, a voice prompt message can be issued at a fixed time, such as 18:00 every day, at certain time intervals, such as "It's time for your periodic self-check. Please press the self-check button and pay attention to all indicator lights and the detection sound!" The gas alarm's periodic reminders to perform self-checks can help people develop a habit of paying attention to gas safety and further reduce the safety hazards of using gas alarms.

[0016] Optionally, the digital display screen shows two colors: green and red; where green indicates clock information and red indicates gas concentration.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, users can quickly and easily identify whether the content displayed on the digital display screen is clock information or gas concentration information.

[0018] Optionally, the voice driving circuit and the power port of the digital display screen are both electrically connected to the power interface of the gas alarm body.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the working power is directly provided by the gas alarm body, reducing the wiring layout.

[0020] Optionally, the microprocessor MCU uses an ATmega168 microprocessor; the voice driving circuit uses a voice chip; the PC port of the microprocessor MCU drives the segment codes of the digital tubes in the digital display, and the PB and PD ports drive the bit codes of the digital tubes; the PD port interfaces with the voice chip to control the output of pre-recorded voice.

[0021] Optionally, the voice chip is NV400F, which supports a wide voltage range of 2.0V to 5.5V.

[0022] In summary, this application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. To cultivate user dependence on gas alarms, thereby increasing their awareness of gas safety;

[0024] 2. Perform regular self-tests to ensure normal product operation; during self-tests, the alarm will close the solenoid valve, requiring manual reset. Self-testing helps users become familiar with the basic operation of the solenoid valve.

[0025] 3. The clock display and voice drive circuit are controlled by a microprocessor (MCU), which communicates serially with the processor of the gas alarm body to obtain RTC time information and other data information. This simplifies the alarm's program processing, minimizes interference with the gas alarm body's processor, avoids repetitive product design, forms a modular design, and fully utilizes the high integration of the microprocessor (MCU) to reduce peripheral components, lower costs, facilitate implementation, and minimize the impact on the alarm design without requiring changes to related circuits and structures.

[0026] 4. Improve the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a digital display screen;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the appendices of the embodiments of this utility model will be described below. Figure 1 -Appendix Figure 3 The technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model are clearly and completely described herein. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0031] Current product standards for gas alarms require data logging capabilities, meaning they need to record when an alarm or malfunction occurs. This necessitates a real-time clock (RTC) within the gas alarm. Since most gas alarms lack a clock display, the accuracy of their internal RTC is unknown. An erroneous clock would inevitably record incorrect historical events.

[0032] This application utilizes the built-in RTC function of the gas alarm to add a digital display, showing the read internal RTC information on the digital display screen, making it convenient for users to observe the time and monitor whether the clock is running accurately.

[0033] Specifically, this application discloses a gas alarm that improves user safety. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The gas alarm may include a digital display screen, a display driver circuit, a microprocessor (MCU), a speaker, and a voice driver circuit. The MCU is electrically connected to the power interface, buttons, the communication serial port of the gas alarm's own processor, the digital display screen, the display driver circuit, and the voice driver circuit within the gas alarm body. Furthermore, the power ports of the voice driver circuit and the digital display screen are both electrically connected to the power interface of the gas alarm body.

[0034] In one embodiment, the digital display screen can be a custom-designed digital tube, and its display effect is as follows: Figure 2 As shown. The four digits of the 8-segment code are displayed in two colors; "month, day, hour, minute" are each indicated by four green LEDs, which are used to indicate the current digital display time unit, and the ":" in the middle is indicated by one green LED, which is used to indicate "hour and minute"; "%LEL, %VOL, ppm" are each indicated by three red LEDs, which are used to indicate the current digital display concentration unit; there are a total of 8 independent LEDs.

[0035] The month and day are displayed on one screen, and the hour and minute are displayed on another screen. The two screens are distinguished by the different decimal points on the digital tube, and the two screens are displayed alternately. The month and day are displayed as 88.88., for example, January 2nd is displayed as 01.02. The hour and minute are displayed as 88:88, for example, 9:45 is displayed as 09:45.

[0036] In other embodiments, the display screen can also be an LCD screen. The LCD screen can be a monochrome segment screen or a dot matrix screen, and its backlight uses dual-color backlighting. When displaying clock information, the backlight is green, and when displaying gas concentration information, the backlight is red, so as to quickly and clearly distinguish the information displayed on the screen.

[0037] The display screen can also use a color dot matrix screen, with clock information displayed in green digits and gas concentration displayed in red digits, to achieve the purpose of quickly and clearly distinguishing the information on the display screen.

[0038] The microprocessor (MCU) can acquire RTC information from the gas alarm unit via a serial port. Using an internal counter, it controls the speaker to provide voice alerts at fixed intervals within a predetermined timeframe. For example, every three months at 18:00, the controller speaker will announce, "It's time for your periodic self-check. Please press the self-check button and observe all indicator lights and the detection sounds!" After the user presses the self-check button, the gas alarm closes the solenoid valve, and the speaker will issue a voice prompt: "Please confirm the solenoid valve is closed. After confirming gas safety, manually open the solenoid valve."

[0039] If the user hears the above voice prompt and performs a self-check, the microprocessor (MCU) will calculate the number of days the alarm has been running safely based on the built-in counter, and drive the speaker through the voice drive circuit to prompt "The alarm has been running safely for xx days", and then reset the time interval counter to zero and start counting again.

[0040] If the user does not perform a self-check on a given day, a voice reminder will be given at the same time the following day. If the user does not perform a self-check for seven consecutive days, the voice reminder time will be increased by 12:00 every day so that the user can hear it and perform the self-check.

[0041] The digital display screen shows clock information, prompting users to check the gas alarm periodically in the kitchen, increasing user reliance and further enhancing their awareness of the gas alarm. Regular voice reminders via speaker guide users through self-checks, helping them confirm the gas alarm's functionality, master the basic operation of the solenoid valve, and appreciate the trust the gas alarm brings to kitchen safety.

[0042] Furthermore, the microprocessor (MCU) can obtain the status of the gas alarm body through serial communication and can also play announcements via voice, greatly improving the user experience. For example, when a malfunction occurs, it can remind users that "the alarm has malfunctioned. Please handle it promptly and contact maintenance personnel at 12345678"; when an alarm sounds, it can remind users that "a gas leak alarm has occurred. Do not operate any electrical equipment and open windows for ventilation as soon as possible"; and when the gas alarm body reaches the end of its lifespan, it can remind users that "the alarm has reached the end of its lifespan. Please replace it as soon as possible and contact 123456".

[0043] Furthermore, most gas alarms only have one button, the self-test button, used to test all display devices and sound circuits. This means that all display devices must light up and the alarm sound must be emitted. The operator must manually verify that all display devices light up and the alarm sound is activated. In other words, the gas alarm does not automatically monitor these circuits; otherwise, the circuit design would be much more complex. Therefore, users need to periodically perform the self-test to check for any abnormalities in the sound and light functions. The gas alarm's self-test also controls the closure of the solenoid valve, which must be manually reopened after closure. Through the self-test operation, users can familiarize themselves with relevant gas shut-off procedures and basic knowledge.

[0044] To minimize disruption to the basic design principles of the gas alarm—that is, to fully utilize existing design resources—the date modification function is implemented. Pressing and holding the button for one second enters the "month, day, hour, minute" selection mode. The selected number flashes, and the four digits flash alternately. After selecting a suitable number, releasing the button causes the selected number to flash, indicating it is editable. A single click of the button then modifies the number, incrementing it by one with each click until the correct number is selected. Pressing and holding the button again for one second allows selection of other numbers. If no button is pressed for four seconds during the modification process, the modification mode automatically exits, and the normal display returns to normal. The microprocessor (MCU) sends the newly acquired time information to the processor inside the gas alarm via serial port, updating the RTC information. In other words, the clock information is modified through a single button press.

[0045] Reference Figure 3 In this application, the microprocessor (MCU) can be an ATmega168 microprocessor, TQFP32 package, 16K Flash, 1K SRAM, and 512 EEPROM; the voice driver circuit can use a voice chip. The PC port drives the segment codes of the digital tubes in the digital display, and the PB and PD ports drive the bit codes of the digital tubes; the PD port interfaces with the voice chip to control the output of pre-recorded voice. JP1 is a connector that connects to the corresponding interface of the gas alarm body to realize communication with the gas alarm body, obtain power, and control the button status of the gas alarm body.

[0046] The voice chip can be the NV400F, supporting a wide voltage range of 2.0V to 5.5V, adapting to various power supply configurations. Low-power standby and soft-shutdown functions ensure that the current draw is only 2uA in soft-shutdown mode. Audio output, with 12-bit PWM pure audio output, can directly drive an 8Ω / 0.5W speaker and buzzer, ensuring clear and vivid voice playback.

[0047] Microprocessors (MCUs) can directly drive digital displays, using row and column scanning to display dual-color digital tubes and character prompts.

[0048] This application uses a microprocessor (MCU) to control the clock display and voice drive circuit. It communicates serially with the processor of the gas alarm unit to obtain RTC time information and other data, simplifying the alarm's program processing, minimizing interference with the gas alarm unit's processor, avoiding repetitive product design, forming a modular design, and fully utilizing the high integration of the MCU to reduce external components, lower costs, and facilitate implementation. It can be adapted to any gas alarm that conforms to national standards. Since the serial port hardware, software protocol, and power supply voltage are specified in the national standards for the product, this module can be used to adapt any gas alarm that conforms to national standards.

[0049] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any feature disclosed in this specification (including the abstract and drawings) may be replaced by other equivalent or similar features unless specifically stated otherwise. That is, unless specifically stated otherwise, each feature is only one example of a series of equivalent or similar features.

Claims

1. A gas alarm that improves user safety, characterized in that, include: A digital display screen is used to show clock information and gas concentration; Display driving circuit, used to drive the digital display screen to display; The microprocessor (MCU) is electrically connected to the power interface, buttons, and communication serial port of the gas alarm's own processor inside the gas alarm body. The microprocessor (MCU) is also electrically connected to the display driver circuit and the digital display screen, and is used to display the RTC information and gas concentration read from inside the gas alarm body on the digital display screen.

2. A gas alarm for improving user safety according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas alarm also includes: A speaker is used to output voice prompts. A voice driving circuit, electrically connected to the microprocessor (MCU) and the speaker, is used to drive the speaker to output the voice prompt information.

3. A gas alarm for improving user safety according to claim 1, characterized in that, The digital display screen shows two colors: green and red. Green indicates clock information, and red indicates gas concentration.

4. A gas alarm for improving user safety according to claim 2, characterized in that, The voice driving circuit and the power port of the digital display screen are both electrically connected to the power interface of the gas alarm body.

5. A gas alarm for improving user safety according to claim 4, characterized in that, The microprocessor MCU uses an ATmega168 microprocessor; the voice driving circuit uses a voice chip; the PC port of the microprocessor MCU drives the segment codes of the digital tubes in the digital display, and the PB and PD ports drive the bit codes of the digital tubes; the PD port interfaces with the voice chip to control the output of pre-recorded voice.

6. A gas alarm for improving user safety according to claim 5, characterized in that, The voice chip used is NV400F, which supports a wide voltage range of 2.0V to 5.5V.

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