Smoke type tester

Abstract

To provide a smoke type tester which can easily perform an operation test of a fire sensor.SOLUTION: A smoke type tester 10 is a smoke type tester which is mounted on a drone and performs an operation test of a fire sensor, the smoke type tester comprising: a cover portion 20 for covering a surrounding of the fire sensor; a pipe 30 extending in a vertical direction along a side face portion of the cover portion 20; a smoking portion 40 which is connected to a bottom of the pipe 30 and conducts test smoke into the pipe 30; a first opening portion 32a and a second opening portion 32b, which are formed at an upper portion of the pipe 40 and blow the test smoke conducted into the pipe 40 into the cover portion 20; and a cushion member 50 formed at an upper end portion of the cover portion 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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 tester that can easily perform an operation test of a fire detector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The smoke tester of the present disclosure is a smoke tester mounted on a drone for testing the operation of a fire detector, and includes a cover that surrounds the fire detector, a pipe extending vertically along the side of the cover, a smoke generating section connected to the lower part of the pipe and introducing test smoke into the pipe, an opening formed at the upper part of the pipe and blowing the test smoke introduced into the pipe into the cover, and a cushion member formed at the upper end of the cover. 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 side view showing a configuration of a smoke tester according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a frame and a pipe in the smoke tester according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the smoke tester according to the first embodiment when a downward external force is applied to the frame. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state during an operational test of the smoke tester according to the first 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 the top of a drone 80. A drone is a multicopter-type unmanned aerial vehicle that can be remotely controlled.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the smoke tester according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the frame and pipe in the smoke tester according to the present embodiment. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the smoke tester 10 has a cover part 20, a pipe 30, a smoke generating part 40, a camera 60, and a cushion member 50.

[0013] The covering part 20 is configured to surround the periphery of the fire detector during a fire detector operation test. The covering part 20 has a bottom part 21, a frame 22, and a cover 23. The covering part 20 serves as a hood that surrounds the sides and bottom of the fire detector. The upper surface of the covering part 20 is open.

[0014] The bottom 21 is formed so as to be approximately horizontal when the smoke tester 10 is mounted on the drone 80. The frame 22 is formed in a circular ring shape centered on a central axis 22a. The frame 22 is disposed above the bottom 21. The frame 22 is disposed facing the bottom 21 so as to be parallel to the bottom 21. The frame 22 constitutes the upper end portion of the covering portion 20. A portion of the frame 22 in the circumferential direction is supported by a pipe 30.

[0015] The cover 23 constitutes a side portion of the covering portion 20. The cover 23 is supported by the frame 22. The cover 23 is formed in a deformable sheet shape using vinyl resin or the like. The cover 23 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The axial length of the cover 23 is longer than the distance between the frame 22 and the bottom portion 21. The upper end of the cover 23 is fixed to the frame 22 over substantially the entire circumference. A circumferential portion of the upper end of the cover 23 may be fixed to a frame connection portion 31 described later. The cover 23 hangs down from the frame 22 due to its own weight. In a state in which the cover 23 is supported by the frame 22, the shape of the cover 23 is generally cylindrical and coaxial with the frame 22. The lower end of the cover 23 is in contact with the bottom portion 21.

[0016] The pipe 30 is disposed inside the cover 23. The pipe 30 extends in the vertical direction along the cover 23. The pipe 30 has a frame connection part 31 that is connected to the frame 22. The frame connection part 31 is provided at the upper end of the pipe 30. A smoke flow path 30a is formed inside the pipe 30, through which the test smoke flows.

[0017] In this embodiment, the pipe 30 also serves as a vertical frame supporting the frame 22. For this reason, the lower end of the pipe 30 is fixed to the bottom 21. As a result, the frame 22 is fixed to the bottom 21 via the pipe 30. The pipe 30 may have elasticity or stretchability so as to absorb the impact when the smoke tester 10 comes into contact with a ceiling or a fire detector.

[0018] A smoke inlet 30b is formed at the bottom of the pipe 30. The smoke inlet 30b is configured to introduce test smoke from the outside of the pipe 30 into the smoke flow path 30a.

[0019] A first opening 32a and a second opening 32b are formed in the upper part of the pipe 30. The first opening 32a and the second opening 32b are provided at positions different in height from each other. The first opening 32a and the second opening 32b are both provided above the smoke inlet 30b.

[0020] The first opening 32a is formed in the frame connection part 31. The first opening 32a is located at the same height as the frame 22. The second opening 32b is located lower than the second opening 32b. Each of the first opening 32a and the second opening 32b is opened in a direction parallel to the bottom part 21 and toward the central axis 22a of the frame 22. From each of the first opening 32a and the second opening 32b, the test smoke in the smoke flow path 30a is blown into the inside of the cover part 20.

[0021] The smoke generating unit 40 is configured to generate test smoke. For example, an atomizer that generates smoke by heating a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol with a heating coil is used as the smoke generating unit 40. The smoke generating unit 40 is a battery type that operates with battery power. The smoke generating unit 40 is operated, for example, by remote control.

[0022] The smoke generating section 40 is disposed inside the covering section 20, that is, on the bottom section 21 and inside the cover 23. The smoke generating section 40 has a smoke outlet 41 for discharging the test smoke. The smoke outlet 41 is connected to the smoke inlet 30b of the pipe 30 via a tube 42. As a result, the test smoke generated in the smoke generating section 40 flows into the smoke flow path 30a in the pipe 30 through the tube 42.

[0023] The cushion member 50 is provided on the upper end of the cover portion 20. The cushion member 50 is formed in a circular ring shape centered on the central axis 22a. The cushion member 50 of the present embodiment is provided on the upper surfaces of the frame 22 and the frame connection portion 31.

[0024] The cushion member 50 is a member that absorbs the impact when the smoke tester 10 comes into contact with the ceiling. The cushion member 50 also has a function of suppressing leakage of the test smoke from inside the cover part 20 to the outside by closely contacting the ceiling. The cushion member 50 has elasticity that causes it to deform when an external force is applied and to return to its original shape when the external force is removed. The cushion member 50 is formed using, for example, sponge, fur, etc.

[0025] When the smoke tester 10 comes into contact with the ceiling due to the rise of the drone 80, the smoke tester 10 receives a reaction force from the ceiling. This reaction force puts a load on the drone 80, and the power consumed by the drone 80 increases. This may cause the drone 80 to overheat abnormally or shorten the flight time of the drone 80. In addition, the reaction force may cause the drone 80 to lose its posture in the air, causing the drone 80 to fall.

[0026] In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the cushion member 50 is provided at the upper end of the cover portion 20, the cushion member 50 comes into contact with the ceiling. The impact when the smoke tester 10 comes into contact with the ceiling is absorbed by the cushion member 50. Therefore, the reaction force that the smoke tester 10 receives from the ceiling can be mitigated. This makes it possible to prevent the drone 80 from overheating, shortening the flight time of the drone 80, dropping the drone 80, and the like.

[0027] The camera 60 is disposed inside the covering portion 20, that is, on the bottom portion 21 and inside the cover 23. The camera 60 captures images vertically upward. The operator of the drone 80 can check the images in real time. Therefore, even if the fire detector is installed in a location that is difficult for the operator of the drone 80 to see, such as in a high ceiling part of an atrium or above a duct, the operator of the drone 80 can move the smoke tester 10 to the location where the fire detector is installed.

[0028] In addition to the smoke generating unit 40, a control box (not shown) may be arranged on the bottom 21 and inside the cover 23. The control box contains, for example, a receiver for remotely controlling the smoke generating unit 40, a battery for the receiver, a battery for the smoke generating unit 40, etc. The control box may be arranged outside the cover 20.

[0029] In this embodiment, the frame connection portion 31 also functions as a hinge portion that tilts the frame 22 relative to the bottom portion 21. That is, the frame 22 is supported by the pipe 30 so as to be able to tilt.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a side view showing the configuration when a downward external force is applied to the frame in the smoke tester according to this embodiment. The frame 22 is rotatable about the frame connection part 31 as the rotation axis. The frame 22 in the normal state is maintained parallel to the bottom part 21 by the action of a torsion coil spring (not shown) or the like. In Fig. 4, the frame 22 in the normal state is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0031] When a downward external force is applied to the frame 22, as shown in FIG. 4, the frame 22 tilts downward together with the cushion member 50, with the frame connection portion 31 as the axis of rotation. At this time, the distance between the frame 22 and the bottom portion 21 becomes closer in the portion of the frame 22 that is far from the frame connection portion 31. This change in distance is absorbed by the deformation of the cover 23. As a result, even if the ceiling is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, the cushion member 50 can be brought into close contact with the ceiling, making it easy to perform an operation test of the fire detector. When the frame 22 tilts downward, the orientation of the first opening 32a may be inclined downward in accordance with the inclination of the frame 22.

[0032] When the downward external force on the frame 22 is removed, the frame 22 returns to a state parallel to the bottom 21 due to the action of the torsion coil spring or the like.

[0033] Next, a method of testing the operation of a fire detector using a smoke tester will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the state during an operation test of the smoke tester according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, a fire detector 91 is installed on a ceiling 90. The fire detector 91 has a smoke detector section 92 that protrudes downward. A plurality of air inlets 93 are formed on the side of the smoke detector section 92 for introducing indoor air into the smoke detector section 92. The lower surface of the smoke detector section 92 is covered by a protective plate 94. In addition, when the fire detector 91 is activated, an activation confirmation light 95 is turned on.

[0034] By remotely controlling the drone 80, the smoke tester 10 is brought close to the fire detector 91, and the fire detector 91 is surrounded by the covering part 20. When the smoke tester 10 comes into contact with the ceiling 90, the cushion member 50 absorbs the impact, and the reaction force that the smoke tester 10 receives from the ceiling 90 is alleviated. This reduces the load on the drone 80. In addition, the cushion member 50 is in close contact with the ceiling 90 all around the central axis 22a.

[0035] At this time, since the drone 80 is stationary in the air, a strong downward air current is generated around the smoke tester 10 by the rotation of the propeller. However, since the internal space of the covering part 20 is surrounded by the cover 23 and the cushion member 50, the air current generated by the propeller has almost no effect on the internal space of the covering part 20.

[0036] The test smoke generated in the smoke generating section 40 flows into the smoke flow path 30a through the tube 42 and the smoke inlet 30b. The test smoke that flows into the smoke flow path 30a rises in the smoke flow path 30a and is blown out into the internal space of the cover section 20 from each of the first opening 32a and the second opening 32b.

[0037] In the state shown in FIG. 5, the smoke detector 92 of the fire detector 91 is located at the same height as the first opening 32a. Therefore, one of the multiple air inlets 93 faces the first opening 32a. The test smoke blown out from the first opening 32a flows toward the air inlet 93 facing the first opening 32a. Since the internal space of the covering part 20 is hardly affected by the airflow caused by the propeller, the test smoke blown out from the first opening 32a flows into the air inlet 93 without diffusing much. By checking that the operation confirmation light 95 is turned on by the camera 60, it can be confirmed that the fire detector 91 has been activated. This allows the operation test of the fire detector 91 to be performed without filling the entire internal space of the covering part 20 with test smoke.

[0038] As described above, the smoke tester 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to be mounted on the drone 80 and to perform an operation test of the fire detector 91. The smoke tester 10 includes a cover portion 20, a pipe 30, a smoke generating portion 40, a first opening 32a and a second opening 32b, and a cushion member 50. Each of the first opening 32a and the second opening 32b is an example of an opening.

[0039] The covering part 20 is configured to surround the periphery of the fire detector 91. The pipe 30 extends in the vertical direction along the side part of the covering part 20. The smoke generating part 40 is connected to the lower part of the pipe 30. The smoke generating part 40 is configured to introduce test smoke into the pipe 30. The first opening 32a and the second opening 32b are formed in the upper part of the pipe 30. The first opening 32a and the second opening 32b are configured to blow the test smoke introduced into the pipe 30 into the covering part 20. The cushion member 50 is formed at the upper end part of the covering part 20.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Furthermore, with this configuration, the test smoke can be blown out from the first opening 32a and the second opening 32b toward the fire detector 91. This allows the test smoke to efficiently flow into the air inlet 93 formed on the side of the fire detector 91. This allows the operation test of the fire detector 91 to be performed quickly.

[0042] Furthermore, with this configuration, the cushion member 50 can absorb the impact when the smoke tester 10 comes into contact with the ceiling 90. Therefore, the reaction force that the smoke tester 10 receives from the ceiling 90 can be mitigated, and the load on the drone 80 can be reduced. Therefore, abnormal heat generation of the drone 80 and insufficient output of the battery for the drone 80 can be prevented. In addition, since the reaction force that the smoke tester 10 receives from the ceiling 90 is mitigated, the attitude of the drone 80 in the air can be stabilized, and the drone 80 can be prevented from falling.

[0043] In the smoke tester 10 according to this embodiment, the first opening 32a and the second opening 32b are a plurality of openings provided at different heights. With this configuration, the test smoke can be blown out toward the fire detector 91 from each of the first opening 32a and the second opening 32b provided at different heights. Therefore, even when sequentially testing the operation of a plurality of types of fire detectors having different protruding heights from the ceiling 90, the test smoke can be efficiently introduced into the air inlet 93 of each fire detector.

[0044] In the smoke tester 10 according to this embodiment, the covering portion 20 may have a bottom portion 21, a ring-shaped frame 22, and a cylindrical cover 23. The frame 22 is disposed above the bottom portion 21 and facing the bottom portion 21. The frame 22 constitutes an upper end portion of the covering portion 20. The cover 23 is supported by the frame 22. The cover 23 constitutes a side portion of the covering portion 20.

[0045] In the smoke tester 10 according to this embodiment, the frame 22 is supported by the pipe 30 so as to be tiltable. With this configuration, even if the ceiling 90 is tilted with respect to the horizontal plane, the operation test of the fire detector 91 can be easily performed.

[0046] In this embodiment, the pipe 30 also serves as the vertical frame, but a vertical frame may be provided separately from the pipe 30. In this case, the frame 22 is fixed to the bottom 21 via the separately provided vertical frame. Also in this case, the pipe 30 is used mainly to form the smoke flow path 30a. Therefore, as long as the upper end of the pipe 30 is supported by the frame 22, the lower end of the pipe 30 does not need to be fixed to the bottom 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10 smoke application tester, 20 covering part, 21 bottom part, 22 frame, 22a central axis, 23 cover, 30 pipe, 30a smoke flow path, 30b smoke inlet, 31 frame connection part, 32a first opening, 32b second opening, 40 smoke generation part, 41 smoke outlet, 42 tube, 50 cushion member, 60 camera, 80 drone, 90 ceiling, 91 fire detector, 92 smoke detection part, 93 air inlet, 94 protective plate, 95 operation confirmation light.

Claims

1. A smoke tester mounted on a drone to test the operation of a fire detector, A cover portion surrounding the fire detector; A pipe extending in the vertical direction along a side surface of the cover; a smoke generating section connected to a lower portion of the pipe and configured to introduce test smoke into the pipe; an opening formed in an upper portion of the pipe for blowing the test smoke introduced into the pipe into the cover; A cushion member formed on an upper end of the cover portion; A smoke tester equipped with

2. 2. The smoke tester according to claim 1, wherein the opening comprises a plurality of openings provided at positions different in height.

3. The covering portion is The bottom and a ring-shaped frame disposed above the bottom portion and facing the bottom portion, the ring-shaped frame constituting the upper end portion of the cover portion; a cylindrical cover supported by the frame and constituting the side surface of the covering portion; 3. The smoke tester according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. 4. The smoke tester according to claim 3, wherein said frame is supported by said pipe so as to be tiltable.

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