Detector and automatic fire alarm system

Abstract

A detector configured to allow liquid in a housing to be easily discharged and an automatic fire alarm system including the detector are provided. A detector (1) includes a housing (10), a sensing unit (20), and a discharge part (5) through which liquid in the housing (10) is discharged toward an exterior space of the housing (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to detectors and automatic fire alarm systems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to: a detector including a housing and a sensing unit; and an automatic fire alarm system including the detector.Background Art

[0002] By way of an example, a detector described in Patent Literature 1 will be illustrated. This detector includes: a detector base which is to be attached in a wiring hole formed in a structural component; and a detector body attached to a lower side (floor surface side) of the detector base.Citation List Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: JP 2020-003844 ASummary of Invention

[0004] Since the temperature and / or humidity is different between an interior and an exterior of the structural component, condensation or the like readily results in liquid deposited on the detector base attached to the structural component and / or the detector body described in Patent Literature 1. Here, if liquid is deposited on the detector base and / or the detector body in the detector described in Patent Literature 1, there is the possibility that the liquid may remain on the detector base and / or the detector body because the detector described in Patent Literature 1 has no mechanism for discharging the liquid. Then, the liquid may enter a sensing unit and / or an electronic circuit portion disposed in the interior of the detector body, which may cause malfunctioning or a failure, leading to a false alarm or a missing alarm.

[0005] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a detector configured to allow liquid in a housing to be easily discharged and an automatic fire alarm system including the detector.

[0006] A detector according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing, a sensing unit disposed in an interior of the housing, and a discharge part through which liquid in the housing is discharged to an exterior space of the housing.

[0007] An automatic fire alarm system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the detector and a receiver. The detector further includes a transmitting unit configured to receive a signal. The receiver includes: a receiving unit Configured to receive the signal; and a user interface unit configured to output information on a basis of the signal thus received.Brief Description of Drawings

[0008] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a detector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the detector; [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the detector viewed obliquely from above; [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the detector viewed obliquely from below; [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of the detector; [FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a sensing unit of the detector; [FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an upper end of a vertical piece part of the detector; and [FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an automatic fire alarm system including the detector. Description of Embodiments

[0009] A detector of the present disclosure and an automatic fire alarm system including the detector will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures described in the following embodiment are schematic views. The ratio of sizes, and the ratio of thicknesses, of components in the figures do not necessarily reflect actual dimensional ratios.(1) Overview

[0010] The overview of the detector according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0011] The detector according to the present disclosure is a disaster protection device that raises an alarm when detecting smoke and / or heat generated by a fire or the like. That is, when smoke and / or heat is generated in case of a disaster such as a fire, the detector detects the smoke and / or the heat and outputs an alarm sound or raises an alarm while operating, for example, in interconnection with another apparatus by using its communication function. The "disaster protection device" as used in the present disclosure is an apparatus that is installed in a facility for the purpose of, for example, prevention of disasters such as a fire, prevention of the spread of damage by a disaster, or restoration from disasters.

[0012] The detector is used by being installed in a facility. The present disclosure shows an example in which the detector is used in, for example, a facility of a non-dwelling house such as a historical building, a hotel, an office building, a school, a welfare facility, a commercial facility, a theme park, a hospital, or a factory. Naturally, the facility is not limited to this example, but the detector may be used in a facility such as a multiple dwelling house or a detached dwelling house. The detector is installed in a facility in a state where the detector is attached to a ceiling or a wall in, for example, a living room, a corridor, a staircase, or the like of the facility.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a detector 1 includes a housing 10, a sensing unit 20 disposed in an interior of the housing 10, and discharge parts 5.

[0014] The sensing unit 20 senses smoke and / or heat.

[0015] The discharge parts 5 discharge liquid resulting from condensation in the housing 10, and / or liquid entering the housing 10 from a structural component side, toward an exterior space of the housing 10.

[0016] Moreover, an automatic fire alarm system 7 includes the detector 1 and a receiver 70. The detector 1 further includes a transmitting unit 82 which transmits a signal. The receiver 70 includes a receiving unit 72 which receives a signal and a user interface unit 75 configured to output information on the basis of the signal thus received.

[0017] In the detector 1 and the automatic fire alarm system 7 of the present disclosure, liquid in the housing 10 of the detector 1 is easily discharged from the discharge parts 5 toward the exterior space of the housing 10.(2) Details(2-1) Overall Configuration

[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, a detailed configuration of the detector 1 of the embodiment will be described below.

[0019] An example is described in which the detector 1 is assumed to be a smoke sensor that senses smoke and the detector 1 is assumed to be attached to a ceiling of a facility as a structural component. In the following description, in a state where the detector 1 is attached to a ceiling wall, a direction vertical (orthogonal) to a ceiling surface (a lower surface of the ceiling wall) is defined as an "up / down direction". Arrows indicating the "up / down direction" in the drawings are merely shown for the sake of description and are intangible. Note that these directions are not intended to limit the direction in which the detector 1 is used (attachment direction).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, a detector body 110 is attached to a detector base 120 attached to the structural component. The detector base 120 includes a terminal to which a signal line (an external electric wire 9) (see FIG. 8) from the receiver 70 (see FIG. 8) is electrically connected. The detector 1 is attached to the detector base 120, and thereby, the detector 1 is electrically connectable to the signal line.

[0021] The detector 1 includes the detector base 120 attached to the structural component and the detector body 110 attached to the detector base 120.

[0022] The detector body 110 includes a first cover 11 constituting an outer shell and a second cover 3 (see FIG. 3) disposed in an interior of the first cover 11. The detector base 120 includes a base cover 12 constituting an outer shell.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the detector body 110 includes: the housing 10 including the first cover 11 and the second cover 3; a sensing block 2; and a circuit block 4 (see FIG. 5). Moreover, in the present embodiment, the detector 1 may further include a battery. Note that it is not essential that the battery is included in components of the detector 1. The battery does not have to be included in the components of the detector 1.(2-2) Outer Shell of Detector (First Cover and Base Cover)

[0024] The first cover 11 constituting an outer shell of the detector 1 houses the sensing block 2 and the circuit block 4. The first cover 11 has a disk shape having a circular shape in plan view. The first cover 11 is a molded product of a resin.

[0025] The outer shell of the detector 1 is a combination of the first cover 11 located on a lower side and the base cover 12 located on an upper side. The base cover 12 is fixed to a mounting surface (here, the ceiling surface). Note that strictly speaking, the base cover 12 is not directly fixed to the mounting surface but is fixed to an attachment base (not shown) fixed to the mounting surface, and thereby, the base cover 12 is indirectly fixed to the mounting surface.(2-2-1) First Cover

[0026] The first cover 11 includes a bottom wall 13 and a side wall 141 and is included in the detector body 110. The bottom wall 13 is a plate having a circular shape in plan view. The side wall 141 has a cylindrical (circularly cylindrical) shape extending upward from a peripheral edge part of the bottom wall 13. The bottom wall 13 and the side wall 141 are integral with each other. The bottom wall 13 constitutes a bottom wall of the housing 10 (the detector 1).(2-2-2) Base Cover

[0027] The base cover 12 has an upper wall 15 and a side wall 142 and is included in the detector base 120. The upper wall 15 is a plate having a circular shape in plan view. The upper wall 15 has a center part having an opening 151. That is, the upper wall 15 in the present embodiment is a plate having a circularly annular shape in plan view.

[0028] The side wall 142 has a circularly cylindrical shape extending upward and downward from a peripheral edge part of the upper wall 15. The upper wall 15 and the side wall 142 are integral with each other. The upper wall 15 constitutes an upper wall of the housing 10. The upper wall 15 hereinafter means not only an upper wall of the base cover 12 but also the upper wall of the housing 10.

[0029] Moreover, the side wall 141 of the first cover 11 and the side wall 142 of the base cover 12 constitute the peripheral wall 14 of the housing 10 (the detector 1).

[0030] The peripheral wall 14 has an opening 100. The opening 100 is an opening for smoke inflow. The present embodiment has a plurality of openings 100 over a circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 14. Each of the plurality of openings 100 has a rectangular shape elongated in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 14 and penetrates the peripheral wall 14 in a thickness direction (radial direction) defined with respect to the peripheral wall 14. Via each of the plurality of openings 100, the interior of the housing 10 is communicated with the exterior of the housing 10. Thus, smoke can flow from the exterior of the housing 10 through each of the plurality of openings 100 into the interior of the housing 10. In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of openings 100 is in the peripheral wall 14 below the second cover 3 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0031] Moreover, a part of the peripheral wall 14 between two adjacent openings 100 constitutes vertical piece part 143.(2-2-3) Second Cover

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the second cover 3 partitions the interior of the housing 10 in the up / down direction. More specifically, the second cover 3 partitions a space in the interior of the housing 10 in the up / down direction into a lower side space 101 between the first cover 11 and the second cover 3 and an upper side space 102 between the base cover 12 and the second cover 3.

[0033] The second cover 3 includes a body part 30 and a cylindrical part 31. Similarly to the first cover 11, the second cover 3 is a molded product of a resin. The second cover 3 is preferably, but does not have to be, made of the same material as the first cover 11.

[0034] The body part 30 is a disk-shaped member. The second cover 3 (the body part 30) has through holes 32 penetrating the second cover 3 in the up / down direction.

[0035] The cylindrical part 31 has a cylindrical (circularly cylindrical) shape extending downward from a peripheral edge part of the body part 30. The cylindrical part 31 serves as an attachment to the housing 10. Specifically, the cylindrical part 31 has an outer surface attached to the housing 10 (the first cover 11) such that the outer surface faces an inner surface of the side wall 141 at a lower side of the peripheral wall 14 of the housing 10.

[0036] The second cover 3 is attached to the first cover 11, thereby forming a lower unit (the detector body 110) of the detector 1. The lower unit includes the first cover 11, the second cover 3, the sensing block 2, and the circuit block 4.(2-2-4) Lower Side Space, Upper Side Space

[0037] The lower side space 101 includes a smoke sensing space Sp1. The openings 100 are formed in a portion of the peripheral wall 14, the portion corresponding to the lower side space 101. Smoke in the exterior space of the housing 10 flows via the openings 100 into the lower side space 101 and flows then into the smoke sensing space Sp1.

[0038] The lower side space 101 is communicated via the openings 100 with a room space.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, an electric component 8 to which one end of the external electric wire 9 is connected is disposed in the upper side space 102. The external electric wire 9 is, for example, a signal line, and a portion of the external electric wire 9 except for the one end is routed in an attic space above the ceiling wall. The external electric wire 9 is introduced through a ceiling opening formed in the ceiling wall and the opening 151 (see FIG. 3) formed in the upper wall 15 of the base cover 12 into the space (upper side space 102) in the interior of the housing 10. The one end of the external electric wire 9 is connected to the electric component 8. The electric component 8 is, for example, a substrate (circuit board). Moreover, the substrate, which is the electric component 8, has a conductor part to which a terminal 81 is electrically connected.

[0040] The base cover 12 including the electric component 8 and the terminal 81 constitutes an upper unit of the detector 1. The upper unit serves as the detector base 120 and is attached to the attachment base provided on the ceiling. Moreover, to the upper unit, which is the detector base 120, the lower unit, which is the detector body 110, is detachably attached from below.

[0041] The upper side space 102 is communicated via the ceiling opening and the opening 151 with the attic space.(2-3) Sensing Block

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the sensing block 2 includes a sensing unit 20 and a sensing cover 21.

[0043] The sensing cover 21 houses the sensing unit 20. The sensing cover 21 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and includes a bottom wall 211 and a peripheral wall 212. The bottom wall 211 is a plate member having a substantially circular shape in plan view. That is, the sensing cover 21 has a bottomed, circularly cylindrical shape. The peripheral wall 212 protrudes downward from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall 211.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the smoke sensing space Sp1 is a space which is in the interior of the housing 10 and which is surrounded by the sensing cover 21.

[0045] The sensing unit 20 is disposed in the interior (the lower side space 101) of the housing 10 to sense smoke in the smoke sensing space Sp1. The sensing unit 20 may be disposed in an interior of the smoke sensing space Sp1 or may be disposed in an exterior of the smoke sensing space Sp1. The sensing unit 20 includes a light-emitting unit 22 and a light-receiving unit 23 and is of a photoelectric type. The "photoelectric type" as used in the present disclosure means that smoke is detected by the light-emitting unit 22 and the light-receiving unit 23 on the basis of a change in the quantity of: light reflected by the smoke in the smoke sensing space Sp1; or light transmitted through the smoke sensing space Sp1. In the present embodiment, the light-emitting unit 22 outputs light toward the smoke sensing space Sp1. The light-receiving unit 23 is disposed at a position on which no direct light from the light-emitting unit 22 is incident and on which light scattered by the smoke in the smoke sensing space Sp1 is incident. Thus, in a state where no smoke is present in the smoke sensing space Sp1, the light-receiving unit 23 receives no light output from the light-emitting unit 22, but in a state where the smoke is present in the smoke sensing space Sp1, the light-receiving unit 23 receives light output from the light-emitting unit 22 and scattered by the smoke (scattering light). Therefore, the detector 1 can detect the smoke present in the smoke sensing space Sp1 on the basis of a light reception state of the light-receiving unit 23. Moreover, the quantity of light received by the light-receiving unit 23 varies depending on, for example, the concentration of the smoke and the type of the smoke (e.g., white smoke or black smoke) in the smoke sensing space Sp1. The light-receiving unit 23 outputs an output signal corresponding to the quantity of light thus received to the circuit block 4.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the sensing cover 21 has a plurality of window holes 213 in the peripheral wall 212. The plurality of window holes 213 allow smoke to flow into an interior of the sensing cover 21 (i.e., the smoke sensing space Sp1). Therefore, smoke can flow into the smoke sensing space Sp1 from an exterior of the sensing cover 21 through the plurality of window holes 213. Each of the plurality of window holes 213 has a rectangular shape in a front view and penetrates the peripheral wall 212 in a thickness direction (radial direction) defined with respect to the peripheral wall 212.

[0047] In the present embodiment, a labyrinth structure 24 is disposed in the interior of the sensing cover 21 as shown in FIG. 6. The labyrinth structure 24 is a collection of a plurality of small pieces aligned in a circular annulus in the interior of the sensing cover 21 over the circumferential direction of the sensing cover 21 to surround the smoke sensing space Sp1. The labyrinth structure 24 can take smoke from the exterior of the sensing cover 21 through gaps between the plurality of small pieces into the smoke sensing space Sp1.(2-4) Circuit Block

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, the circuit block 4 includes a substrate (circuit board) 41 and a plurality of electronic components including a switch. The plurality of electronic components are packaged on the substrate 41. The substrate 41 has a conductor part to which the sensing unit 20 of the sensing block 2 is electrically connected.

[0049] The substrate 41 is disposed below the sensing block 2, that is, between the sensing block 2 and the first cover 11. The sensing block 2 is disposed on one surface (upper surface) of the substrate 41 in a thickness direction (up / down direction) defined with respect to the substrate 41. That is, the sensing unit 20 and the sensing cover 21 are disposed on the one surface in the thickness direction defined with respect to the substrate 41. In other words, the sensing unit 20 and the sensing cover 21 are attached to the one surface in the thickness direction defined with respect to the substrate 41.

[0050] To the conductor part of the substrate 41, terminals 42 (see FIG. 3) are electrically connected. The terminals 42 extend upward from the substrate 41. The terminals 42 are connected to the terminal 81 of the base cover 12 through the through holes 32 formed in the body part 30 of the second cover 3. Thus, the conductor part of the substrate 41 is electrically connected via the terminals 42 and the terminal 81 to the conductor part of the electric component 8 and can communicate via the external electric wire 9 with another apparatus (e.g., another detector).

[0051] To the conductor part of the substrate 41, light-emitting elements 43 are electrically connected. The light-emitting elements 43 include, for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs), are packaged on a lower surface side of the substrate 41, and can emit light downward.

[0052] To the conductor part of the substrate 41, temperature sensors 44 are electrically connected. The temperature sensors 44 are, for example, chip thermistors that sense heat of a gas flowing thereinto from the openings 100. In this configuration, the temperature sensors 44 are chip thermistors packaged on the substrate 41, and therefore, for example, as compared with a lead type thermistor including a heat sensitive element disposed at an end of a lead wire, the detector 1 as a whole can be downsized (in particular, can be reduced in thickness).

[0053] The temperature sensors 44 are disposed on the lower surface side of the substrate 41. Specifically, when a surface which the substrate 41 has and which faces the mounting surface is defined as a first surface 411 and an opposite surface of the substrate 41 from the first surface 411 is defined as a second surface 412, the temperature sensors 44 are surface-mounted on the second surface 412. When the temperature sensors 44 are chip thermistors, at least part of each temperature sensor 44 has a surface, and thus, surface mounting means packaging in a state where the second surface 412 and the surface of each temperature sensor 44 face each other. Moreover, the temperature sensors 44 are disposed on a plurality of extension sections extending in a direction away from the center of the sensing unit 20 of the substrate 41. Note that the temperature sensors 44 may be surface-mounted on the first surface 411 of the substrate 41.

[0054] Moreover, the circuit block 4 includes a control circuit 40 (see FIG. 8) including a plurality of electronic components. The control circuit 40 is a circuit that is disposed on the substrate 41 and controls the light-emitting unit 22, the light-receiving unit 23, and the like. The control circuit 40 drives at least the light-emitting unit 22 and performs signal processing of the output signal from the light-receiving unit 23. In the signal processing, the circuit block 4 compares the quantity of light received by the light-receiving unit 23 (magnitude of the output signal) with a threshold, thereby determining whether or not smoke is present in the smoke sensing space Sp1. If the quantity of light received by the light-receiving unit 23 is greater than or equal to the threshold, the circuit block 4 determines that smoke at a concentration higher than or equal to a certain level is present in the smoke sensing space Sp1. When the circuit block 4 determines that the smoke at the concentration higher than or equal to the certain level is present in the smoke sensing space Sp1, the circuit block 4 outputs an electric signal for driving an output (not shown) electrically connected to the conductor part of the substrate 41 to the output.

[0055] The output is, for example, a sound output and outputs a sound (a sonic wave) upon receiving the electric signal from the circuit block 4. That is, the detector 1 outputs a sound from the sound output when the quantity of light received by the light-receiving unit 23 is greater than or equal to the threshold. The sound output is embodied by, for example, a loudspeaker or buzzer that converts the electric signal into a sound.(2-5) Discharge Part

[0056] The discharge parts 5 discharge the liquid in the housing 10 toward the exterior space of the housing 10. Specifically, the discharge parts 5 are passages for liquid, and via the passages, the space in the interior of the housing 10 is communicated with the exterior space of the housing 10. In the present embodiment, the detector 1 includes, as the discharge parts 5, first discharge parts 51, second discharge parts 52, and third discharge parts 53.(2-5-1) First Discharge Part

[0057] The first discharge parts 51 are each constituted by a gap between the second cover 3 and the first cover 11. Liquid produced in an interior of the upper side space 102 moves through the first discharge parts 51 to the lower side space 101. Mainly in a summer season, hot and humid air externally passes through the attic space, flows into the upper side space 102, and comes into contact with the second cover 3. The second cover 3 is, at the lower side, in contact with air in the lower side space 101, and air cooled by an air-conditioner in the room space flows into the lower side space 101, and therefore, the second cover 3 is cooled by the air thus cooled. The hot and humid air which has flown into the upper side space 102 is cooled by the second cover 3, and water vapor thus condenses, thereby resulting in liquid (condensation) in the upper side space 102.

[0058] Since the lower side space 101 is communicated via the openings 100 with the exterior space of the housing 10 (the room space), liquid which has moved from the upper side space 102 through the first discharge parts 51 to the lower side space 101 can be discharged via the openings 100 to the exterior space. The liquid which has moved to the lower side space 101 may be discharged as it is through the opening 100 to the exterior space or may be vaporized and water vapor may be discharged through the opening 100 to the exterior space.

[0059] When further description is given, the second cover 3 has an outer peripheral surface from which a projection 33 protrudes. Moreover, in the housing 10, a projection 144 (see FIG. 3) protrudes from an inner peripheral surface of the side wall 141 at the lower side of the peripheral wall 14. The projection 33 of the second cover 3 has a lower surface disposed on an upper surface of the projection 144 of the side wall 141. At this time, when the lower surface of the projection 33 comes into surface contact with the upper surface of the projection 144, liquid located in the upper side space 102 cannot move between the lower surface of the projection 33 and the upper surface of the projection 144 to the lower side space 101. Therefore, recesses (cut-outs) serving as the first discharge parts 51 are formed in the lower surface of the projection 33 such that gaps serving as the first discharge parts 51 are formed between the lower surface of the projection 33 and the upper surface of the projection 144 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. A width of each gap serving as the first discharge part 51, that is, a distance between the lower surface of the projection 33 and the upper surface of the projection 144 is 10 to 200 µm, preferably 50 to 100 µm, and is, for example, 70 µm, but is not limited to these ranges.

[0060] Thus, the liquid located in the upper side space 102 can move through the first discharge parts 51 formed between the lower surface of the projection 33 and the upper surface of the projection 144 to the lower side space 101, and thus, the liquid is easily discharged from the housing 10. Note that each first discharge part 51 may be constituted by a recess (a cut-out) formed in the upper surface of the projection 144.

[0061] Moreover, the detector 1 includes inclined parts 6 inclined downward toward the discharge parts 5. The detector 1 includes, as the inclined parts 6, first inclined parts 61, second inclined parts 62, and third inclined parts 63.

[0062] The first inclined parts 61 are inclined parts on an upper surface of the second cover 3, the inclined parts being inclined downward toward the discharge parts 5 (the first discharge parts 51). Thus, liquid deposited on the upper surface of the second cover 3 easily flows toward the first discharge parts 51, and the liquid is easily discharged to the exterior space of the housing 10.

[0063] Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, vertical piece parts 143 are disposed at the same position as the discharge parts 5 in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 14. Reference sign 145 shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 denotes an upper end of each vertical piece part 143, and reference sign 34 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 denotes recesses 34 (cut-outs) which are formed at a lower end of the cylindrical part 31 of the second cover 3 and into which the upper ends 145 of the vertical piece parts 143 are inserted. In a circumferential direction of the cylindrical part 31, each recess 34 is formed at the same position as the corresponding one of the first discharge parts 51. Thus, the liquid which has moved from the upper side space 102 through the first discharge parts 51 to the lower side space 101 easily moves along the vertical piece parts 143 to the upper surface of the bottom wall 13.(2-5-2) Second Discharge Part

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the bottom wall 13 has through holes 131 penetrating the bottom wall 13 in the up / down direction. The through holes 131 are formed at positions where the light-emitting elements 43 are located in a circumferential direction of the detector 1. In the through holes 131, respective light transmitting members 132 are inserted. A gap formed between an outer side surface of each light transmitting member 132 and an inner side surface of a corresponding one of the through holes 131 constitutes a corresponding one of the second discharge parts 52. A width of the gap serving as the corresponding one of the second discharge parts 52, that is, a distance between the outer side surface of each light transmitting member 132 and the inner side surface of the corresponding one of the through holes 131 is 10 to 200 µm, preferably 50 to 100 µm, and is, for example, 70 µm, but is not necessarily limited to these ranges.

[0065] Mainly in a winter season, hot and humid air in the room space flows into the lower side space 101 and comes into contact with the second cover 3. The second cover 3 has an upper side in contact with air in the upper side space 102, and low-temperature air externally flows through the attic space into the upper side space 102, and therefore, the second cover 3 is cooled by the low-temperature air. The hot and humid air which has flown into the lower side space 101 is cooled by the second cover 3, and water vapor thus condenses, thereby resulting in liquid (condensation) in the lower side space 101.

[0066] The liquid deposited on the upper surface of the bottom wall 13 moves downward via the second discharge parts 52 penetrating the bottom wall 13 in the up / down direction and is discharged from a lower surface of the bottom wall 13 to the exterior space of the housing 10 (room space). The liquid which has moved downward through the second discharge parts 52 may be discharged as it is to the exterior space of the housing 10 (room space) or may be vaporized and water vapor may be discharged to the exterior space (room space).

[0067] Thus, the liquid deposited on the upper surface of the bottom wall 13 easily discharged via the second discharge parts 52 from the lower surface of the bottom wall 13 to the exterior space of the housing 10 (room space).

[0068] Moreover, the second inclined parts 62 inclined downward toward the second discharge parts 52 are formed at a portion included in the upper surface of the bottom wall 13 and adjacent to the second discharge parts 52. Thus, liquid located on the upper surface of the bottom wall 13 easily flows toward the second discharge parts 52 and is easily discharged from the upper surface of the bottom wall 13 via the second discharge parts 52 to the exterior space.(2-5-3) Third Discharge Part

[0069] The openings 100 can constitute the third discharge parts 53. As described above, mainly in the winter season, the hot and humid air which has flown into the lower side space 101 is cooled by the second cover 3, and water vapor thus condenses, thereby resulting in liquid (condensation) adhering to a lower surface of the second cover 3. At this time, the liquid is preferably located near the openings 100, which are the third discharge parts 53. Therefore, the second cover 3 has a thin-walled part 35 at a peripheral edge part of a portion corresponding to the opening 100 in the circumferential direction thereof. The thin-walled part 35 has a smaller thickness than a portion on an inner side with respect to the peripheral edge part. Thus, the hot and humid air which has flown through the opening 100 into the lower side space 101 is cooled via the thin-walled part 35 of the second cover 3 by a cool air in the upper side space 102. Here, the hot and humid air cooled by the thin-walled part 35 conducts heat easily and is thus easily cooled, resulting in an increase in condensation as compared with the case where the hot and humid air is cooled by the portions of the second cover 3 other than the thin-walled part 35. Therefore, the condensation is easily suppressed from developing on the inner side with respect to the peripheral edge part of the second cover 3. As a result, the condensation is suppressed from adhering to the member (e.g., the substrate 41) located at a center part of the housing 10. Of the hot and humid air which has flown through the opening 100 into the lower side space 101, air may proceed to the depth in the lower side space 101 without coming into contact with a lower surface of the thin-walled part 35 but is brought into contact with the lower surface of the thin-walled part 35 by a convection flow caused by air flowing through the opening 100 into the lower side space 101 and can be expected to be condensed on the lower surface of the thin-walled part 35.

[0070] Moreover, the lower surface of the second cover 3 has the third inclined parts 63 inclined downward toward the third discharge parts 53 (the openings 100). Thus, the liquid adhering to the lower surface of the second cover 3 easily flows toward the third discharge parts 53 (the opening 100) and is easily discharged from the lower surface of the bottom wall 13 via the third discharge parts 53 (the openings 100) to the exterior space.(3) Automatic Fire Alarm System

[0071] With reference to FIG. 8, the receiver 70 and the automatic fire alarm system 7 including the receiver 70 will be described.

[0072] The receiver 70 (master device) of the present embodiment is, together with the detector 1 (slave device), electrically connected to a pair of electric wires 91 and 92 and changs a current flowing through the pair of electric wires 91 and 92, and thereby, the receiver 70 and the detector 1 can mutually communicate with each other. To the receiver 70, a plurality of external electric wires 9 are connected, wherein the pair of electric wires 91 and 92 are defined as one signal line (one external electric wire 9). Moreover, to each of the plurality of external electric wires 9, a plurality of detectors 1 are connected.

[0073] Each detector 1 includes the transmitting unit 82.

[0074] The receiver 70 includes a control unit 71, the receiving unit 72, a display unit 73, an operation unit 74, and the user interface unit 75.

[0075] The receiving unit 72 receives a signal transmitted via the external electric wire 9 from at least one of the detectors 1. In particular, the receiving unit 72 receives, from at least one of the detectors 1, a fire alarm which is a notification signal notifying of the outbreak of a fire.

[0076] The display unit 73 displays (outputs) fire information (display information, output information) indicating information relating to the fire (disaster protection) on the basis of the fire alarm received by the receiving unit 72. The fire information is expressed by at least one of a character, a numerical digit, or a symbol and is displayed on the display unit 73 by, for example, the character, the numerical digit, the symbol, or a combination thereof. The contents of the fire information include, for example, information indicating the external electric wire 9 connected to the detector 1 which has raised the fire alarm, or information on an installation place of the detector 1 which has raised the fire alarm. The information indicating the external electric wire 9 is, for example, a line number assigned to each external electric wire 9 in advance or information on a place where each external electric wire 9 is wired. The information on the installation place of the detector 1 is, for example, the name of the place registered in association with the detector 1 in advance (e.g., the name of the installation place of the detector 1, for example, a room number in the case of a multiple dwelling house).

[0077] Note that the display unit 73 can output the fire information relating to the fire (disaster protection) on the basis of the notification signal received by the receiving unit 72.(4) Variations

[0078] In the embodiment described above, the detector 1 is a detector which senses smoke. However, the detector to which the present disclosure is directed is not limited to the detector which senses smoke. The present disclosure is directed to detectors examples of which include a heat detector which senses heat, a CO detector which senses carbon monoxide (CO), a combination smoke and heat detector which senses smoke and heat, and a multi-sensor detector which senses smoke, heat and CO. The appropriate detector is different depending on the type of a fire. For example, in the case of early propagation of heat, a large temperature rise, and a small amount of smoke production, a heat detector is suitable. Moreover, in the case of a small temperature rise and a small amount of smoke production, a combination smoke and heat detector is suitable.

[0079] The detector 1 including the detector body 110 and the detector base 120 has been described, but the detector 1 does not have to include the detector base 120.

[0080] The shape of the housing 10 (the bottom wall 13 of the first cover 11 and the upper wall 15 of the base cover 12) viewed in plan is not limited to a circular shape. Moreover, the housing 10 is not limited to a molded piece made of a resin. That is, a material for the housing 10 is not limited to the resin but may be, for example, metal.

[0081] The shape of the body part 30 of the second cover 3 viewed in plan is not limited to a circular shape. Moreover, the second cover 3 is not limited to a molded piece made of a resin. That is, a material for the second cover 3 is not limited to the resin but may be, for example, metal.

[0082] The output is not limited to a sound output but may be, for example, a light output that outputs light.(Summary)

[0083] The embodiment and the like described above discloses the following aspects.

[0084] A detector (detector 1) of a first aspect includes: a housing (10); a sensing unit (20) disposed in an interior of the housing (10); and a discharge part (5) through which liquid in the housing (10) is discharged toward an exterior space of the housing (10).

[0085] With this aspect, the liquid is easily discharged from the housing (10).

[0086] A detector of a second aspect referring to the first aspect further includes an inclined part (6) inclined downward toward the discharge part (5).

[0087] With this aspect, the liquid easily flows toward the discharge part (5), and the liquid is easily discharged to the exterior space of the housing (10).

[0088] In a detector of a third aspect referring to the first aspect, the housing (10) includes a first cover (11) which has one end having an opening and which includes at least a peripheral wall (14) and a bottom wall (13); and a second cover (3) disposed on an installation surface side of the detector (1) with respect to the first cover (11), and the first cover (11) has an opening (100) in the peripheral wall (14). A gap formed between the first cover (11) and the second cover (3) constitutes the discharge part (a first discharge part 51) through which liquid is discharged via the opening (100) to the exterior space.

[0089] With this aspect, liquid located in an upper side space (102) can move through the first discharge part (51) formed between a lower surface of a projection (33) and an upper surface of a projection (144) to a lower side space (101), and the liquid is easily discharged from the housing (10).

[0090] A detector of a fourth aspect referring to the third aspect further includes an inclined part (a first inclined part 61) on an upper surface of the second cover (3), the inclined part being inclined downward toward the discharge part (the first discharge part 51).

[0091] With this aspect, liquid deposited on the upper surface of the second cover (3) easily flows toward the first discharge part (51), and the liquid is easily discharged to the exterior space of the housing (10).

[0092] In a detector of a fifth aspect referring to the third aspect, the opening (100) includes a plurality of openings (100), and a part of the peripheral wall (14) between two adjacent ones of the plurality of openings (100) constitutes a vertical piece part (143). The vertical piece part (143) is at a same position as the discharge part (the first discharge part 51) in a circumferential direction of the peripheral wall (14).

[0093] With this aspect, liquid which has moved from the upper side space (102) through the first discharge part (51) to the lower side space (101) easily moves along the vertical piece part (143) to an upper surface of the bottom wall (13).

[0094] In a detector of a sixth aspect referring to the first aspect, the housing (10) includes a first cover (11) which has one end having an opening and which includes at least a peripheral wall (14) and a bottom wall (13); and a second cover (3) disposed on an installation surface side of the detector (1) with respect to the first cover (11), and the first cover (11) has an opening (100) in the peripheral wall (14). The second cover (3) has a thin-walled part (35) at a peripheral edge part of a portion corresponding to the opening (100) in the circumferential direction of the second cover (3). The thin-walled part (35) has a smaller thickness than a portion on an inner side with respect to the peripheral edge part.

[0095] With this aspect, the hot and humid air which has flown through the opening (100) into the lower side space (101) is cooled via the thin-walled part (35) of the second cover (3) by a cool air in the upper side space (102). Here, the hot and humid air cooled by the thin-walled part (35) conducts heat easily and is thus easily cooled, resulting in an increase in condensation as compared with the case where the hot and humid air is cooled by the portions of the second cover (3) other than the thin-walled part (35). Therefore, the condensation is easily suppressed from developing on the inner side with respect to the peripheral edge part of the second cover (3). As a result, the condensation is suppressed from adhering to the member located at a center part of the housing (10).

[0096] A detector of a seventh aspect referring to the sixth aspect further includes an inclined part (third inclined part 63) on a lower surface of the second cover (3), the inclined part (third inclined part 63) being inclined downward toward the discharge part (third discharge part 53).

[0097] With this aspect, liquid adhering to the lower surface of the second cover (3) easily flows toward the third discharge part (53) (the opening (100)) and is easily discharged from the lower surface of the bottom wall (13) via (the opening 100) to the exterior space.

[0098] In a detector of an eighth aspect referring to the first aspect, the housing (10) includes a first cover (11) which has one end having an opening and which includes at least a peripheral wall (14) and a bottom wall (13); and a second cover (3) disposed on an installation surface side of the detector (1) with respect to the first cover (11). The first cover (11) has a through hole (131) penetrating the bottom wall (13) from top to bottom. A gap formed between a light transmitting member (132) inserted in the through hole (131) and an inner side surface of the through hole (131) constitutes the discharge part (a second discharge part 52).

[0099] With this aspect, liquid deposited on the upper surface of the bottom wall (13) is easily discharged via the second discharge part (52) from the lower surface of the bottom wall (13) to the exterior space of the housing (10) (room space).

[0100] In a detector of a ninth aspect referring to the eighth aspect, the detector includes an inclined part (a second inclined part 62) on the upper surface of the bottom wall (13), the inclined part (the second inclined part 62) being inclined toward the discharge part (the second discharge part 52).

[0101] With this aspect, liquid located on the upper surface of the bottom wall (13) easily flows toward the second discharge part (52) and is easily discharged from the upper surface of the bottom wall (13) via the second discharge part (52) to the exterior space.

[0102] In a tenth aspect referring to the first aspect, the detector (1) further includes a detector base (120) attached to a structural component and having an electric component (8) to which an external electric wire (9) is to be connected.

[0103] An automatic fire alarm system (7) of an eleventh aspect includes: the detector; and a receiver (70).

[0104] The detector further includes a transmitting unit (82) configured to transmit a signal. The receiver includes: a receiving unit (72) configured to receive a signal; and a user interface unit (75) configured to output information on a basis of the signal thus received.

[0105] With this aspect, liquid in the detector is easily discharged from the housing (10).Reference Signs List

[0106] 1Detector 10Housing 11First Cover 120Detector Base 100Opening 101Lower Side Space 102Upper Side Space 13Bottom Wall 131Through Hole 132Light Transmitting Member 14Peripheral Wall 143Vertical Piece Part 20Sensing Unit 3Second Cover 5Discharge Part 6Inclined Part 7Automatic Fire Alarm System 70Receiver 72Receiving Unit 75User Interface Unit 8Electric Component 82Transmitting Unit 9External Electric Wire Sp1Smoke Sensing Space

Claims

1. A detector comprising: a housing; a sensing unit disposed in an interior of the housing; and a discharge part through which liquid in the housing is discharged toward an exterior space of the housing.

2. The detector of claim 1, further comprising an inclined part inclined downward toward the discharge part.

3. The detector of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first cover which has one end having an opening and which includes at least a peripheral wall and a bottom wall; and a second cover disposed on an installation surface side of the detector with respect to the first cover, the first cover has an opening in the peripheral wall, and a gap formed between the first cover and the second cover constitutes the discharge part through which liquid is discharged via the opening to the exterior space.

4. The detector of claim 3, further comprising an inclined part on an upper surface of the second cover, the inclined part being inclined downward toward the discharge part.

5. The detector of claim 3, wherein the opening includes a plurality of openings, and a part of the peripheral wall between two adjacent ones of the plurality of openings constitutes a vertical piece part, and the vertical piece part is at a same position as the discharge part in a circumferential direction of the peripheral wall.

6. The detector of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first cover which has one end having an opening and which includes at least a peripheral wall and a bottom wall; and a second cover disposed on an installation surface side of the detector with respect to the first cover, the first cover has an opening in the peripheral wall, and the second cover has a thin-walled part at a peripheral edge part of a portion corresponding to the opening in the circumferential direction of the second cover, the thin-walled part having a smaller thickness than a portion on an inner side with respect to the peripheral edge part.

7. The detector of claim 6, further comprising an inclined part on a lower surface of the second cover, the inclined part being inclined downward toward the discharge part.

8. The detector of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first cover which has one end having an opening and which includes at least a peripheral wall and a bottom wall; and a second cover disposed on an installation surface side of the detector with respect to the first cover, the first cover has a through hole penetrating the bottom wall from top to bottom, and a gap formed between a light transmitting member inserted in the through hole and an inner side surface of the through hole constitutes the discharge part.

9. The detector of claim 8, further comprising an inclined part on the upper surface of the bottom wall, the inclined part being inclined toward the discharge part.

10. The detector of claim 1, further comprising a detector base attached to a structural component and having an electric component to which an external electric wire is to be connected.

11. An automatic fire alarm system comprising: the detector of claim 1; and a receiver; the detector further including a transmitting unit configured to transmit a signal, the receiver including: a receiving unit configured to receive a signal; and a user interface unit configured to output information on a basis of the signal thus received.

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