Smoke tester

Abstract

To provide a smoke tester that can easily perform an operation test of a fire sensor.SOLUTION: A smoke tester 10 is a smoke tester that performs an operation test of a fire sensor using a testing smoke, which comprises: a cup 20 that is placed over a fire sensor; a smoking unit 30 that generates the testing smoke in the cup 20; and an air pump 50 that generates air flow in the cup 20. The smoke tester is mounted on a drone.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a smoke tester. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a smoke application tester. This smoke application tester has a tester section and a support rod. The tester section has a main body, a housing, and a gas cylinder. The housing is fixed to the upper end of the main body. A cylinder case that houses the gas cylinder is provided at the lower end of the main body. A smoke generating agent is sealed inside the gas cylinder. A support frame is rotatably connected to the upper part of the main body. The support rod is attached to the support frame.

[0003] When inspecting a fire detector, an operator extends the support rod, abuts the housing against the ceiling, and covers the fire detector with the housing. After that, the smoke generating agent in the gas cylinder is released into the housing, filling it with smoke. In this state, the operator checks whether the fire detector has been activated or not. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-50928 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Fire detectors may be installed in high ceiling areas such as atriums or above ducts. Also, objects may be installed on the floor directly below the fire detector. In such cases, even if the support rod is extended, the tester may not reach the fire detector. Therefore, there is a problem that it may be difficult to test the operation of a fire detector with conventional smoke testers.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a smoke application tester that can easily perform an operation test of a fire detector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The smoke testing device of the present disclosure is a smoke testing device that uses test smoke to test the operation of a fire detector, and is equipped with a cup that is placed over the fire detector, a smoke generating unit that generates the test smoke in the cup, and an air pump that generates an air current in the cup, and is mounted on a drone. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily perform an operation test of a fire detector. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a smoke tester according to the first embodiment is in use. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a smoke tester according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a top view showing a configuration of a smoke tester according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a configuration of a smoke tester according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a method for storing all the devices in a cup in the smoke tester according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a method for testing the operation of a fire detector using a smoke tester according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a method for testing the operation of a fire detector using a smoke tester according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Embodiment 1 A smoke tester according to a first embodiment will be described. The smoke tester according to this embodiment is configured to perform an operation test of a fire detector using test smoke. The fire detector is, for example, a smoke detector installed on a ceiling. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the smoke tester according to this embodiment is in use. The up-down direction in FIG. 1 represents the vertical up-down direction.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, when a fire detector operation test is performed, the smoke tester 10 is mounted on a drone 80. A drone is a multicopter-type unmanned aerial vehicle that can be remotely controlled.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the smoke tester according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a top view showing the configuration of the smoke tester according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the smoke tester according to this embodiment. The up-down direction in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 3 represent the vertical up-down direction.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the smoke tester 10 includes a cup 20, a smoke generating section 30, a camera 40, an air pump 50, a mounting member 60, and a control box .

[0014] The cup 20 is configured to cover the fire detector from below. The top surface of the cup 20 is open. The open end 20a of the cup 20 is formed, for example, in a circumferential shape. As shown in FIG. 1, when the smoke tester 10 is mounted on the drone 80, the cup 20 is disposed on the central axis 81 of the drone 80, i.e., on the center of gravity of the drone 80.

[0015] The side surface 20b of the cup 20 is made of a flexible material different from the open end 20a and the bottom surface 21 of the cup 20. The side surface 20b has enough elasticity to return to its original shape when no force is applied. This allows the open end 20a of the cup 20 to be in close contact even with a sloping ceiling. The side surface 20b may have an expandable structure.

[0016] A strip-shaped plate 20c made of the same material as the cup 20 is attached to the middle of the side of the cup 20. Therefore, even when the cup 20 is pressed against a sloped ceiling, the side of the cup 20 does not collapse, and a flow path for smoke and airflow is secured.

[0017] If a non-stretchable cup is used, a reaction force will be generated from the ceiling when the drone body presses the cup against the ceiling. The reaction force puts a strain on the drone, causing it to consume more power, resulting in insufficient battery output and abnormal heating of the drone body, as well as causing it to lose its balance and crash.

[0018] The smoke generating unit 30 is disposed inside the cup 20. The smoke generating unit 30 is fixed to the bottom surface 21 of the cup 20 via a box-shaped base 31. The smoke generating unit 30 is configured to generate test smoke in the cup 20 by remote control. As the smoke generating unit 30, for example, an atomizer that generates smoke by heating a mixed liquid of glycerin and propylene glycol with a heating coil is used. The smoke generating unit 30 is a battery type that operates by battery power. The smoke generating unit 30 may be a unit that injects a test gas similar to that of a conventional unit into the cup 20 by remote control.

[0019] Camera 40 is disposed facing upward inside cup 20. Camera 40 is a battery-powered camera that operates on battery power. The battery of camera 40 is built into the housing of camera 40. Camera 40 is fixed to bottom surface 21 of cup 20 via support member 41.

[0020] Camera 40 captures video above cup 20 through the opening on the top surface of cup 20. For example, the imaging range of camera 40 includes at least a part of opening end 20a. The video captured by camera 40 is transmitted as needed to a tablet terminal (not shown) by wireless communication.

[0021] The attachment member 60 is provided below the cup 20. The attachment member 60 is fixed to the cup 20. The attachment member 60 is configured to be detachably attached to the upper portion of the drone 80.

[0022] The air pump 50 is provided below the cup 20. The air pump 50 is fixed to the mounting member 60 via a first arm 61. The air pump 50 is a fluid machine that compresses and discharges air sucked from the outside. The air pump 50 is a battery-powered type that operates with battery power. The battery of the air pump 50 is built into the housing of the air pump 50. One end of a tube 52 is connected to the discharge port 51 of the air pump 50. The other end of the tube 52 is connected to the inside of the cup 20 via the base 31 and the smoke generating unit 30. The air pump 50 may be a fan, a blower, or a pressure-accumulating cylinder. In the case of a pressure-accumulating cylinder, by providing an opening and closing valve, it is possible to control the release of gas in the cylinder when it is used, and it is not necessary to release gas unnecessarily.

[0023] The compressed air discharged by the air pump 50 flows into the inside of the cup 20 through the tube 52, the base 31, and the smoke generating unit 30. This creates an airflow in the cup 20. The airflow created in the cup 20 allows the test smoke from the smoke generating unit 30 to fill the cup 20 efficiently, allowing the operation test of the fire detector to be performed quickly. The airflow in the smoke generating unit 30 also cools the heating coil of the smoke generating unit 30. Furthermore, the airflow created in the cup 20 allows the test smoke to be quickly exhausted from the fire detector after the operation test has been completed.

[0024] The control box 70 is fixed to the mounting member 60 via the second arm 62. The control box 70 houses, for example, a receiver for remotely controlling the smoke generating unit 30, a battery for the receiver, a battery for the smoke generating unit 30, and the like.

[0025] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a method for storing all the devices in the cup of the smoke application tester according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, not only the camera 40, the smoke generating unit 30, the base 31, etc., but also the air pump 50 and the control box 70 are stored in the cup 20. The battery and the air pump are large and usually do not fit in the cup 20, but if the battery and the air pump are made smaller, they are stored in the cup 20. This also makes it possible to shorten the tube 52, leading to weight reduction.

[0026] Next, a method for testing the operation of a fire detector will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a method for testing the operation of a fire detector using a smoke tester according to the present embodiment. A plurality of fire detectors 91 are installed on a ceiling 90. A smoke tester 10 is attached to the top of a drone 80. For example, a remote control for remotely controlling the drone 80, a tablet terminal for displaying a video received from the camera 40, a remote control for remotely controlling the smoke generating unit 30, and the like are prepared in advance at the operator 92's hand. The camera 40 and the air pump 50 are already operating. The camera 40 and the air pump 50 may be configured to operate at any timing by operating the remote control. This can extend the life of the battery.

[0027] First, the worker 92 raises the drone 80 and brings it close to the fire detector 91, and places the cup 20 of the smoke tester 10 over the fire detector 91. The worker 92 may remotely control the drone 80 while visually observing the drone 80, or may remotely control the drone 80 while watching a video captured by the camera 40.

[0028] The worker 92 holds the drone 80 in the air with the cup 20 placed over the fire detector 91, and remotely controls the drone 80 to generate test smoke from the smoke generating unit 30. The test smoke is efficiently filled in the cup 20 by the airflow from the air pump 50, and is introduced into the fire detector 91. This allows the operation test of the fire detector 91 to be performed promptly.

[0029] After the operation test of the fire detector 91 is completed, the drone 80 is lowered to move the cup 20 away from the fire detector 91. As a result, the air outside the cup 20 is introduced into the fire detector 91 by the airflow from the air pump 50, and the test smoke is quickly discharged from the fire detector 91.

[0030] As described above, the smoke tester 10 according to the present embodiment is a smoke tester that uses test smoke to perform an operation test of a fire detector 91. The smoke tester 10 includes a cup 20, a smoke generating unit 30, and an air pump 50. The cup 20 is placed over the fire detector 91. The smoke generating unit 30 generates test smoke in the cup 20. The air pump 50 generates an air flow in the cup 20. The smoke tester 10 is mounted on a drone 80.

[0031] According to this configuration, the operation test of the fire detector 91 can be performed by remotely operating the drone 80 equipped with the smoke tester 10. Therefore, even if the fire detector 91 is installed in a high ceiling part such as an atrium or above a duct, the operation test of the fire detector 91 can be easily performed.

[0032] Furthermore, with this configuration, air pump 50 can generate an air current inside cup 20. This allows test smoke from smoke generating unit 30 to efficiently fill cup 20. In addition, the air current can cool the heating coil of smoke generating unit 30, and allows test smoke to be quickly exhausted from a fire detector that has completed an operational test.

[0033] Moreover, the smoke tester 10 according to this embodiment includes a cup 20, a smoke generating unit 30, and a camera 40. The cup 20 is placed over a fire detector 91. The smoke generating unit 30 generates test smoke in the cup 20. The camera 40 is provided facing upward in the cup 20. The smoke tester 10 is mounted on a drone 80.

[0034] According to this configuration, an operator can easily cover the fire detector 91 with the cup 20 by remotely controlling the drone 80 while watching the video captured by the camera 40. Therefore, even if the fire detector 91 is installed in a place where it is difficult for an operator to visually check it, the operation test of the fire detector 91 can be easily performed.

[0035] In the smoke tester 10 according to this embodiment, the cup 20 is placed on the center of gravity of the drone 80.

[0036] With this configuration, the cup 20 can be stably placed over the fire detector 91 using the drone 80.

[0037] In the smoke application tester 10 according to this embodiment, the smoke generating section 30 can be remotely controlled.

[0038] According to this configuration, test smoke can be generated from the smoke generating unit 30 only when an operation test of the fire detector 91 is actually performed, and the generation of test smoke can be stopped while the drone 80 is moving.

[0039] Embodiment 2 A smoke tester according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method for testing the operation of a fire detector using the smoke tester according to the present embodiment. The smoke tester according to the present embodiment has a tester body 12, a cup 20, and a tube 13. The cup 20 is mounted on a drone 80. The tester body 12 has a smoke generating section, an air pump, a necessary battery, and the like. The tester body 12 is carried on the back of an operator 92. The tester body 12 and the inside of the cup 20 are connected by a tube 13. The tube 13 has sufficient flexibility.

[0040] When performing an operation test of the fire detector 91, the worker 92 raises the drone 80 to approach the fire detector 91 and places the cup 20 over the fire detector 91. In this state, the worker 92 supplies test smoke from the smoke generating section of the tester main body 12 into the cup 20 through the tube. In this way, the operation test of the fire detector 91 is performed.

[0041] According to this embodiment, as in embodiment 1, even if the fire detector 91 is installed in a high ceiling area such as an atrium or above a duct, an operation test of the fire detector 91 can be easily performed.

[0042] Moreover, according to this embodiment, the load on the drone 80 can be reduced compared to the first embodiment. Therefore, the drone 80 can be made smaller and lighter. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the drone 80 is connected to the testing device body 12 by the tube 13. Therefore, the flight range of the drone 80 can be limited, and it is possible to prevent the operator 92 from losing sight of the drone 80.

[0043] The above first and second embodiments may be modified as follows. (Variation 1) A distance measuring device may be provided in the smoke application tester 10. With this, when the cup 20 is placed over the fire detector 91, the distance from the distance measuring device to the fire detector 91 can be measured, and it can be confirmed that the cup 20 is appropriately placed over the fire detector 91. A laser range finder may be used as an example of the distance measuring device. The distance from the camera 40 to the fire detector 91 may be measured by image analysis.

[0044] (Variation 2) In conjunction with the distance measuring device mentioned above, when the drone body reaches an appropriate position to perform a smoke test on the detector, the drone body will light up. For example, if the drone body reaches a position where it can be tested, it will light up "green," and if it has not, it will light up "yellow." When it turns green, the test will begin.

[0045] (Variation 3) When performing a test with the smoke tester 10, the built-in camera may be used to check whether the check light of the fire detector 91 is on. However, this may be difficult to check due to the test smoke. In this case, when the check light is confirmed by the camera, the drone body may be lit in red. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 smoke application tester, 12 tester body, 13 tube, 20 cup, 20a open end, 21 bottom surface, 30 smoke generating section, 31 base, 40 camera, 41 support member, 50 air pump, 51 outlet, 52 tube, 60 mounting member, 61 first arm, 62 second arm, 70 control box, 80 drone, 81 central axis, 90 ceiling, 91 fire detector, 92 operator.

Claims

1. A smoke tester that uses test smoke to test the operation of a fire detector, A cup that is placed over the fire detector; A smoke generating unit that generates the test smoke in the cup; an air pump that generates an air flow in the cup; Equipped with A smoke testing device mounted on a drone.

2. A smoke tester that uses test smoke to test the operation of a fire detector, A cup that is placed over the fire detector; A smoke generating unit that generates the test smoke in the cup; A camera disposed in the cup facing upward; Equipped with A smoke testing device mounted on a drone.

3. 3. The smoke tester of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cup is positioned on a center of gravity of the drone.

4. 3. The smoke application tester according to claim 1, wherein the smoke generating unit is remotely operable.

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