Emergency notification system

Abstract

To provide an emergency notification system that improves reliability of disconnection monitoring by suppressing and preventing erroneous determination.SOLUTION: According to an emergency notification system comprising a host device 10 and a plurality of notification devices 12, a line monitoring part 1010 provided to the host device 10 monitors an emergency notification line state formed via signal wirings 2010, 2020 and internal wirings 3010 to 3040 so as to return to the host device 10 from the host device 10 via switch terminals 1410, 1420 of a normally opened press switch 14 included by the notification devices 12; monitors the state under a predetermined first monitoring condition as a predetermined first determination to determine that possibility of disconnection occurs when a predetermined first determination condition is met; and monitors the state under a second monitoring condition as a predetermined second determination by changing a monitoring condition from the first monitoring condition to the second monitoring condition when determining that the possibility of disconnection occurs via the predetermined first determination to determine the disconnection when a predetermined second determination condition is met.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an emergency notification system including a host device and a predetermined number of notification devices.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, fire hydrant devices have been installed as emergency facilities inside tunnels such as highways and motorways. The fire hydrant device includes, for example, a fire hose and valves including a fire hydrant valve stored in a fire hydrant storage section inside a housing having a fire hydrant door, and two fire extinguishers stored in a fire extinguisher storage section inside a housing having a fire extinguisher door. Also, generally, the fire hydrant devices are installed at predetermined intervals, for example, at 50-meter intervals, in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel.

[0003] In addition, the emergency notification device provided integrally with the fire hydrant device includes a red indicator light, a transmitter, a pump starting device used when the fire department starts a fire pump, a pump starting interlocking device interlocked with the operation of the fire hydrant valve, a response lamp indicating that the transmitter has been pressed, and a telephone jack for making a call with a disaster prevention receiving panel installed in an electrical room during maintenance or the like.

[0004] Also, in the conventional emergency facilities, the transmitter is connected to the signal wiring from the disaster prevention receiving panel, and when the transmitter is operated, a fire alarm signal is transmitted as a transmission signal from the transmitter to the disaster prevention receiving panel to output a fire alarm to the disaster prevention receiving panel and, for example, display a tunnel entry prohibition on the alarm display board at the tunnel entrance. Further, in the conventional emergency facilities, the disaster prevention receiving panel has a disconnection monitoring function for the signal wiring to the transmitter (Patent Document 1).

[0005] However, in conventional emergency facilities, multiple connection wirings are derived from the middle of the signal wiring from the disaster prevention receiving panel and connected to the transmitter, and there is a problem that the connection wirings are not monitored. For example, the wiring to the transmitter of the emergency reporting device provided integrally with the fire hydrant device is performed via a terminal block provided inside the housing of the fire hydrant device. Although disconnection monitoring is possible for the signal wiring from the disaster prevention receiving panel to the terminal block, disconnection monitoring is not possible for the internal wiring (connection wiring) from the terminal block to the transmitter.

[0006] To solve this problem, a pressing switch (operation switch) and a terminal block having a plurality of terminals are provided. Two internal wirings are derived from one switch terminal of the pressing switch and connected to two terminals of the terminal block, and the other two internal wirings are derived from the other switch terminal and connected to the other two terminals of the terminal block. The resulting transmission equipment (reporting device) is applied to the transmitter, and the signal wiring from the disaster prevention receiving panel is connected to the terminal block so that the signal wiring and the internal wiring are connected in series. This enables monitoring not only of the signal wiring from the disaster prevention receiving panel but also of the internal wiring from the terminal block to the pressing switch (Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] And in Patent Document 2, a termination resistor is provided in the final-stage transmission equipment (reporting device), and it is possible to discriminate disconnection, short circuit, signs of disconnection, and signs of short circuit from the change tendency of the current value flowing through the signal wiring. Although a predetermined threshold value is set for the current value to discriminate each state (determine), the following problems remain.

[0009] As a first problem, the resistance values of the termination resistors, cables, etc. are not fixed values and can vary due to factors such as climate change, loosening of wiring due to vibration, and the passage of time. Therefore, if the threshold value set for determining each state is fixed, there is a risk of false alarms being issued even though the state has not been reached. Also, in order to avoid false alarms, it is conceivable to give a certain range to the threshold value to allow for a margin in the determination criteria. However, depending on the set range, there is a concern that the determination may be delayed or misjudged.

[0010] As a second problem, the current consumption for monitoring the state of the signal wiring is required to be minimized as much as possible. Since the current value flowing through the signal wiring is about several mA, the influence of the accuracy of the measurement system (circuits, sensors, etc.) is large, and there is a risk of misjudgment with a fixed threshold value. Also, even if the accuracy of the measurement system can be improved, it is impossible to completely eliminate the measurement error because the measured current value is extremely small.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an emergency notification system that can suppress and prevent misjudgment and improve the reliability of disconnection monitoring.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0012] (Emergency Notification System) The present invention is an emergency notification system including a host device and a predetermined number of notification devices, comprising a line monitoring unit that monitors the state of a signal line formed to return to the host device via a switch terminal of an operation switch provided in the notification device from the host device, The line monitoring unit, As a predetermined first determination, it monitors according to a predetermined first monitoring condition and determines that there is a possibility of disconnection when a predetermined first determination condition is satisfied. When it is determined in the predetermined first determination that there is a possibility of disconnection, the monitoring condition is changed from the first monitoring condition to a predetermined second monitoring condition. As a predetermined second determination, it monitors according to the second monitoring condition and determines that there is a disconnection when a predetermined second determination condition is satisfied.

[0013] (First Judgment) The first judgment by the line monitoring unit is as follows: Set a predetermined monitoring voltage as the first monitoring condition and monitor the line current flowing through the signal line. When the monitored line current deviates from a predetermined current range based on the normal line current, it is determined that there may be a disconnection as the fulfillment of the first judgment condition.

[0014] (Second Judgment of Changing the Monitoring Voltage) The second judgment by the line monitoring unit is as follows: Set a plurality of monitoring voltages with different voltage values as the second monitoring condition, change each of the set monitoring voltages, and monitor the line current flowing through the signal line. Set a calibration curve showing the relationship between the monitoring voltage and the line current at the time of disconnection as the second judgment condition, and compare the line current monitored by the plurality of monitoring voltages with the calibration curve.

[0015] (Second Judgment by Comparing the Slope of the Regression Line with the Slope of the Calibration Curve) The comparison between the line current monitored by the plurality of monitoring voltages and the calibration curve in the second judgment is performed based on generating a regression line based on the line current monitored by the plurality of monitoring voltages and the set monitoring voltage, and comparing the slope of the regression line with the slope of the calibration curve. When the slope of the regression line is within a predetermined slope range based on the slope of the calibration curve, it is determined that there is a disconnection as the fulfillment of the second judgment condition.

[0016] (Second Judgment by the Correlation between the Monitored Line Current and the Line Current in the Calibration Curve) The comparison between the line current monitored by the plurality of monitoring voltages and the calibration curve in the second judgment is performed based on the correlation between the line current monitored by the plurality of monitoring voltages and the line current corresponding to the monitoring voltage set as the second monitoring condition in the calibration curve. When the correlation between the monitored line current and the line current in the calibration curve is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that there is a disconnection as the fulfillment of the second judgment condition.

[0017] (Second determination for changing the line resistance of the signal line) Furthermore, it includes a line resistance variable circuit for changing the line resistance of the signal line, The second determination by the line monitoring unit is as follows: As the second monitoring condition, the line resistance of the signal line is adjusted by the line resistance variable circuit so that the line resistance at the time of disconnection becomes the line resistance during normal operation, and a predetermined monitoring voltage is set to monitor the line current flowing through the signal line. When the monitored line current is within a predetermined current range based on the line current during normal operation, it is determined that there is a disconnection as the fulfillment of the second determination condition.

[0018] (Update of determination conditions) The line monitoring unit updates the first determination condition and the second determination condition based on the line current during normal operation monitored at a predetermined timing.

[0019] (Determination of the accuracy of disconnection) The line monitoring unit further classifies and determines the accuracy of disconnection as a condition in which the second determination condition is divided into multiple stages.

[0020] (Emergency equipment) It is applied to emergency equipment in which a reporting device arranged in a fire hydrant device or a manual reporting device is connected to a disaster prevention receiving panel functioning as a host device. The reporting device arranged in the fire hydrant device or the manual reporting device includes a transmitter, a pump starting device, and a pump starting interlocking device.

Effect of the invention

[0021] (Effect of the emergency reporting system) The present invention is an emergency reporting system including a host device and a predetermined number of reporting devices, and includes a line monitoring unit that monitors the state of a signal line formed to return from the host device to the host device via a switch terminal of an operation switch included in the reporting device. The line monitoring unit monitors according to a predetermined first monitoring condition as a predetermined first determination, and determines that there is a possibility of disconnection when a predetermined first determination condition is satisfied. When it is determined in the predetermined first determination that there is a possibility of disconnection, the monitoring condition is changed from the first monitoring condition to a predetermined second monitoring condition. As a predetermined second determination, monitoring is performed according to the second monitoring condition, and when a predetermined second determination condition is satisfied, it is determined that there is a disconnection. Therefore, even when the first determination condition is satisfied due to factors other than disconnection, by performing a determination again as to whether there is a disconnection based on the second determination in which the monitoring condition is changed, it is possible to suppress and prevent an erroneous determination due to factors other than disconnection, and it is possible to improve the reliability of disconnection monitoring.

[0022] (Effect of the first determination) Further, the first determination by the line monitoring unit sets a predetermined monitoring voltage as the first monitoring condition and monitors the line current flowing through the signal line. When the monitored line current deviates from a predetermined current range based on the normal line current, it is determined that there is a possibility of disconnection as satisfaction of the first determination condition. Therefore, when a predetermined change in which disconnection is assumed occurs from the normal line current, the first determination condition is satisfied, and it is possible to determine without overlooking the occurrence of disconnection.

[0023] (Effect of the second determination in which the monitoring voltage is changed) Further, the second determination by the line monitoring unit sets a plurality of monitoring voltages with different voltage values as the second monitoring condition, changes to each of the set monitoring voltages, monitors the line current flowing through the signal line, and sets a calibration curve showing the relationship between the monitoring voltage and the line current at the time of disconnection as the second determination condition. In order to compare the line current monitored by the plurality of monitoring voltages with the calibration curve, when there is no actual disconnection, it is possible to suppress and prevent a determination of disconnection due to at least a part of the line current monitored by the plurality of monitoring voltages deviating from the calibration curve, and it is possible to improve the reliability of disconnection monitoring.

[0024] (Effect of the Second Judgment for Changing the Inter-Wire Resistance of the Signal Line) Furthermore, it is provided with an inter-wire resistance variable circuit for changing the inter-wire resistance of the signal line. In the second judgment by the line monitoring unit, as the second monitoring condition, the inter-wire resistance of the signal line is adjusted by the inter-wire resistance variable circuit so that the inter-wire resistance at the time of disconnection becomes the inter-wire resistance in the normal state, and a predetermined monitoring voltage is set to monitor the line current flowing through the signal line. When the monitored line current is within a predetermined current range based on the line current in the normal state, it is determined that there is a disconnection as the fulfillment of the second judgment condition. Therefore, when there is no actual disconnection, even if the line monitoring unit adjusts the inter-wire resistance of the signal line so that it becomes the inter-wire resistance in the normal state, the inter-wire resistance of the signal line does not return to the inter-wire resistance in the normal state, and the monitored line current becomes a line current different from the line current in the normal state, thereby suppressing and preventing the determination of a disconnection, and making it possible to improve the reliability of the disconnection monitoring.

[0025] (Effect of Updating the Judgment Conditions) Since the line monitoring unit updates the first judgment condition and the second judgment condition based on the line current in the normal state monitored at a predetermined timing, it is possible to set the first judgment condition and the second judgment condition that take into account in advance the influence of factors other than disconnection that change the inter-wire resistance over a long period of time and cannot be completely excluded in the two-stage disconnection judgment, and to improve the reliability of the disconnection monitoring. Also, by monitoring the line current in the normal state, it can also be used for the long-term deterioration judgment of the cable.

[0026] (Effect of Judging the Accuracy of Disconnection) Since the line monitoring unit further classifies and judges the accuracy of disconnection as a condition in which the second judgment condition is divided into multiple stages, it is possible to include the appearance of disconnection in the judgment result, and to perform appropriate countermeasures based on the reliability of the judgment result.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the emergency reporting system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments.

[0029] [Basic Concepts of the Embodiment] First, the basic concepts of the embodiment will be described. The embodiment is generally an emergency reporting system including a host device and a predetermined number of reporting devices, and is applied to emergency equipment such as a fire hydrant device or a manual reporting device to which a reporting device arranged thereon is connected to a disaster prevention receiving panel functioning as the host device. Also, the number of reporting devices included in the emergency reporting system can be one or any plurality of numbers.

[0030] Here, the "reporting device" can be applied to devices and equipment such as a transmitter equipped with an emergency reporting switch that is pressed, for example, during a fire as an emergency and outputs a fire alarm signal as a transmission signal, a pump starting device equipped with a switch that outputs a pump starting signal, and an operating switch such as a pump starting interlocking device. The "upper device" can be applied to a disaster prevention receiving panel that monitors abnormalities such as fires by connecting electrical equipment such as transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0031] In addition, the reporting device is connected to the upper device so that a signal line that returns to the upper device via the switch terminals of the operating switch included in the reporting device is formed. The emergency reporting system includes a line monitoring unit that monitors the state of the signal line. The "signal line" is composed of a "signal wiring" drawn from the upper device, wiring inside the reporting device, for example, "internal wiring" from a terminal block included in the reporting device to the switch terminals of the operating switch.

[0032] Also, as the emergency reporting system, it may monitor the state of the "emergency reporting line", which is a signal line connected to the line monitoring unit. That is, the "signal line" refers to a "circuit" including the operating switch of the reporting device, and the "emergency reporting line" refers to a "circuit" that further includes the line monitoring unit with respect to the signal line.

[0033] Also, the "state of the line" monitored by the line monitoring unit and the emergency reporting system includes the state of the entire wiring forming the signal line or the emergency reporting line and the operating state of the inserted operating switch. For example, as the state of the entire wiring, it can include states such as conduction failure due to wire breakage, poor contact at the connection part, insulation failure due to corrosion and deterioration, and short circuit. The monitoring of the "state of the line" is performed, for example, based on the line current (line-to-line resistance of the line) flowing through the line.

[0034] Note that the "line monitoring unit" may be provided in the upper device, or may be provided in dedicated equipment, devices, etc. that monitor the state of the signal line.

[0035] Also, the type, configuration, and structure of the "operation switch" provided in the reporting device are arbitrary. For example, it includes a normally open switch, etc. As the "normally open switch", for example, it has a normally open contact (so-called a contact), and includes a push switch that closes the contact and conducts by pressing the pressing part that serves as the operation part.

[0036] Also, the "switch terminal" is a concept that can substantially include the contact of the operation switch itself. For example, the switch terminal may be directly provided on a conductor plate having the contact of the operation switch. Of course, inside the switch, the connection between each contact and the corresponding switch terminal may be connected by a short wiring or other conductor components. Note that the operation switch only needs to be one that does not conduct between the switch terminals (between one and the other of the switch terminals) during normal times and conducts between the switch terminals when a predetermined operation is performed, and is not limited to a push switch. For example, various switches such as slide switches can be applied. Also, various switch methods such as a locking type and a non-locking type can be applied.

[0037] And the line monitoring unit of the embodiment is characterized in that it determines a disconnection by a two-stage determination consisting of a first determination and a second determination.

[0038] The "first determination" is a determination for capturing the change when a disconnection occurs. It monitors according to the first monitoring condition and determines that there may be a disconnection when the first determination condition is satisfied. The determination method is arbitrary. For example, as the first monitoring condition, a predetermined monitoring voltage is set to monitor the line current flowing through the signal line. When the monitored line current deviates from a predetermined current range based on the normal line current, it is determined that there may be a disconnection as the satisfaction of the first determination condition.

[0039] Here, "normal time" refers to a normal state where the operation switch of the reporting device is not operated and no abnormality has occurred in the state of the signal line. Also, the range of "the current range based on the line current during normal time" can be arbitrary as long as it can capture a predetermined change assuming disconnection, including those with ranges in both positive and negative directions with respect to the line current during normal time, those with a range in either the positive or negative direction with respect to the line current during normal time, etc. Note that "monitoring of line current" is a concept that can include "measurement of line current".

[0040] Subsequently, when it is determined in the first determination that there is a possibility of disconnection, the monitoring condition is changed from the first monitoring condition to the second monitoring condition and the second determination is made. "The second determination" monitors according to the changed second monitoring condition and determines disconnection when the second determination condition is satisfied. The determination method can be arbitrary. For example, there are those that perform monitoring (determination) by changing the monitoring voltage and those that perform monitoring (determination) by changing the line-to-line resistance of the signal line.

[0041] As the "second determination" for changing the monitoring voltage, for example, a plurality of monitoring voltages with different voltage values are set as the second monitoring condition, the line current flowing through the signal line is monitored by changing each of the set monitoring voltages, a calibration curve showing the relationship between the monitoring voltage and the line current at the time of disconnection is set as the second determination condition, and the line current monitored by the plurality of monitoring voltages is compared with the calibration curve.

[0042] Here, the number of monitoring voltages set as the second monitoring condition can be arbitrary and may include the monitoring voltage set in the first monitoring condition of the first determination. Also, the "calibration curve showing the relationship between the monitoring voltage and the line current at the time of disconnection" is a straight line based on the relationship of V (monitoring voltage) = I (line current) · R (line-to-line resistance) since the line-to-line resistance of the signal line is known in advance when disconnection occurs. It is a straight line made with one of the monitoring voltage or the line current as the X-axis and the other of the monitoring voltage or the line current as the Y-axis. Also, if there are differences in the line-to-line resistance of the signal line depending on the location of disconnection and there are a plurality of disconnection patterns, calibration curves corresponding to each disconnection pattern will be set.

[0043] Also, as a comparison between the line current monitored by a plurality of monitoring voltages and the calibration curve, for example, a regression line is generated based on the line current monitored by the plurality of monitoring voltages and the set monitoring voltage, and the comparison is made based on the comparison between the slope of the regression line and the slope of the calibration curve. When the slope of the regression line is within a predetermined slope range with respect to the slope of the calibration curve, there is a case where it is determined that there is a disconnection as the satisfaction of the second determination condition. Here, the method for generating the regression line is arbitrary, but includes, for example, a method for generating a regression line using the least squares method.

[0044] Also, as a comparison between the line current monitored by a plurality of monitoring voltages and the calibration curve, among others, it is performed based on the correlation between the line current monitored by the plurality of monitoring voltages and the line current corresponding to the monitoring voltage set as the second monitoring condition in the calibration curve. When the correlation between the monitored line current and the line current in the calibration curve is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, there is a case where it is determined that there is a disconnection as the satisfaction of the second determination condition.

[0045] And when a disconnection actually occurs, at each set monitoring voltage, the line current in the calibration curve and the monitored line current are almost the same value. On the other hand, in the case of factors other than disconnection that change the line-to-line resistance short-term or rapidly while monitoring, there is a difference between the line current in the calibration curve and the monitored line current. Therefore, it is possible to determine a disconnection by the second determination, distinguishing it from factors other than disconnection that change the line-to-line resistance short-term or rapidly.

[0046] Also, as the "second determination" for changing the line-to-line resistance of the signal line, for example, further, a line-to-line resistance variable circuit for changing the line-to-line resistance of the signal line is provided. The second determination by the line monitoring unit is, as the second monitoring condition, to adjust the line-to-line resistance of the signal line so that the line-to-line resistance at the time of disconnection becomes the line-to-line resistance in the normal state by the line-to-line resistance variable circuit, set a predetermined monitoring voltage, monitor the line current flowing through the signal line, and when the monitored line current is within a predetermined current range based on the normal line current, it is determined that there is a disconnection as the satisfaction of the second determination condition.

[0047] Here, the monitoring voltage set as the second monitoring condition may be the same as or different from the monitoring voltage set as the first monitoring condition. Regarding the "current range based on the normal line current" when the monitoring voltage set as the second monitoring condition is the same as the monitoring voltage set as the first monitoring condition, it may also be the same as or different from the current range based on the normal line current in the first determination.

[0048] When a disconnection actually occurs, the line - to - line resistance of the signal line is adjusted to the normal line - to - line resistance by the line - to - line resistance variable circuit. On the other hand, in the case of factors other than disconnection that change the line - to - line resistance short - term or rapidly, when the line - to - line resistance of the signal line is adjusted by the line - to - line resistance variable circuit, the line - to - line resistance of the signal line will not be the normal line - to - line resistance. Therefore, even in the second determination where the line - to - line resistance of the signal line is changed, it is possible to distinguish disconnection from factors other than disconnection that change the line - to - line resistance short - term or rapidly.

[0049] Also, the line monitoring unit updates the first determination and the second determination conditions based on the normal line current monitored at a predetermined timing. Here, the "timing" for update is arbitrary and includes various timings such as regular ones (e.g., once a month), those due to artificial operations, and cases where a predetermined error occurs in the normal line current. And by updating the determination conditions, the first determination condition and the second determination condition can be set to take into account in advance the influence of factors other than disconnection that change the line - to - line resistance over a long period and cannot be completely excluded in the two - stage disconnection determination.

[0050] Also, as a condition where the second determination condition is divided into multiple stages, the line monitoring unit further classifies and determines the accuracy (likelihood of disconnection) of disconnection. For example, as a determination result, in addition to "disconnection" and "factors other than disconnection (not a disconnection)", it may be possible to determine "possibility of disconnection" which indicates a determination result with a lower accuracy of disconnection than when determining "disconnection" but a higher accuracy of disconnection than when determining "factors other than disconnection". Although an example of determination in three stages is shown, it may also be further refined for determination.

[0051] Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described. In the specific embodiments shown below, the "operation switch of the reporting device" is a "normally open push switch (a-contact switch)", the "line monitoring unit" and the "inter-line resistance variable circuit" are "provided as one function of the upper device", and the "signal line" is "composed of signal wiring from the upper device to the terminal block of the reporting device, signal wiring from the terminal block of the reporting device to the terminal block of another reporting device, and internal wiring from the terminal block to the switch terminal of the normally open push switch, and three are connected in parallel between a pair of signal wirings drawn from the upper device by the operation switch". The disconnection monitoring that changes the monitoring voltage to perform the second determination will be described as the first embodiment, and the disconnection monitoring that changes the inter-line resistance of the signal line to perform the second determination will be described as the second embodiment.

[0052] [Specific content of the embodiment] An embodiment of an emergency reporting system equipped with a reporting device will be described in more detail. The content will be described separately as follows. a. Outline of the emergency reporting system equipped with an upper device and a reporting device b. Configuration of the emergency reporting system b1. Configuration of the reporting device b2. Wiring configuration of the signal line b3. Inter-line resistance and line current of the signal line c. First embodiment of disconnection monitoring d. Update of the determination condition e. Disconnection monitoring process f. Second embodiment of disconnection monitoring f1. Inter-line resistance variable circuit f2. Second determination in disconnection monitoring f3. Update of the determination condition f4. Disconnection monitoring process g. Emergency equipment g1. Fire hydrant device g2. Emergency equipment to which the emergency reporting system is applied g2-1. Configuration of the fire hydrant device at the location where the reporting device is applied g2-2. Wiring configuration for the normally open push switch provided in the transmitter g2-3. Wiring configuration for the normally open push switch provided in the pump starting device g2-4 Wiring configuration for a normally open push switch corresponding to a response lamp h. Modification of the present invention

[0053] [a. Overview of an emergency reporting system including a host device and a reporting device] First, an overview of an emergency reporting system including a reporting device will be described. In this description, refer to FIG. 1 showing an overview of the emergency reporting system.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, in the emergency reporting system, reporting devices 12 are sequentially connected to a signal wiring 20 drawn from a host device 10.

[0055] The reporting device 12 includes at least one operation switch, and when the operation switch is operated, a transmission signal is sent to the host device 10 via the signal wiring 20. The host device 10 monitors the state of the emergency reporting line, including the operation of the reporting device 12 (operation of the operation switch) and disconnection of the wiring, based on the line current flowing through the emergency reporting line including the internal wiring for the operation switch of the reporting device 12 and the signal wiring 20.

[0056] Here, the number of reporting devices provided in the emergency reporting system is arbitrary, but in FIG. 1, three reporting devices 12 are provided. In addition, in order to distinguish the reporting devices 12, they are sequentially designated as reporting devices 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 from the reporting device 12 on the host device 10 side, and when there is no need to distinguish the reporting devices, they are designated as reporting device 12.

[0057] Also, in the reporting device 12, in terms of wiring connection, the reporting device on the host device 10 side as seen from itself is defined as the "upstream reporting device", and the reporting device on the opposite side of the host device 10 is defined as the "downstream reporting device". For example, in FIG. 1, as seen from the reporting device 12-2, the reporting device 12-1 is the "upstream reporting device", and the reporting device 12-3 is the "downstream reporting device".

[0058] Also, among the notification devices 12, the notification device 12 that is connected at the position closest to the upper device 10 in terms of wiring connection is defined as the "first-stage notification device", and the notification device 12 that is connected at the farthest position is defined as the "last-stage notification device". For example, in FIG. 1, the notification device 12-1 is the "first-stage notification device", and the notification device 12-3 is the "last-stage notification device".

[0059] In addition, the signal wiring 20 includes a high-voltage signal wiring (signal cable) for a commercial AC power supply and a low-voltage signal wiring (signal cable) for a predetermined DC voltage power supply. In the embodiment, a low-voltage signal wiring is connected to the operation switch of the notification device 12.

[0060] [b. Configuration of the emergency notification system] Subsequently, the configuration of the emergency notification system will be described in the case where each notification device is equipped with one normally open push switch as an operation switch. Note that the configuration of the emergency notification system shown here is only an example.

[0061] (b1. Configuration of the notification device) First, the configuration of the notification device will be described. For this description, refer to FIG. 2 showing the configuration of the emergency notification system.

[0062] The notification device 12 includes a normally open push switch 14, a bypass resistor 16, and a terminal block 18. Here, when distinguishing each of the notification devices 12-1 to 12-3, the normally open push switch 14 is designated as 14-1 to 14-3 in accordance with the notification devices 12-1 to 12-3, and the same applies to the bypass resistor 16 and the terminal block 18. In FIG. 2, since the reference numerals for the notification devices 12-2 and 12-3 are basically the same as those for the notification device 12-1, only the minimum necessary description is provided.

[0063] The normally open push switch 14 is an "a-contact switch" that normally keeps the switch contacts open as shown in the figure and closes the switch contacts when pressed, and has two switch terminals 1410 and 1420. The bypass resistor 16 is connected between the two switch terminals 1410 and 1420 of the normally open push switch 14 in parallel with the normally open push switch 14 and has a predetermined resistance value.

[0064] The terminal block 18 has a plurality of connection terminals that serve as connection points for wiring. In the notification devices 12-1 and 12-2, four connection terminals 1810, 1820, 1830, and 1840 are used, and in the notification device 12-3, two connection terminals 1810 and 1830 are used.

[0065] The wiring configuration of the notification device 12-1 is such that the connection terminal 1810 of the terminal block 18-1 is connected to the switch terminal 1410 of the normally open push switch 14-1 by the first internal wiring 3010, and the connection terminal 1820 of the terminal block 18-1 is connected by the second internal wiring 3020. Also, the connection terminal 1830 of the terminal block 18-1 is connected to the switch terminal 1420 of the normally open push switch 14-1 by the third internal wiring 3030, and the connection terminal 1840 of the terminal block 18-1 is connected by the fourth internal wiring 3040. Also, the wiring configuration of the notification device 12-2 is the same as that of the notification device 12-1.

[0066] Also, the wiring configuration of the notification device 12-3 is such that the connection terminal 1810 of the terminal block 18-3 is connected to the switch terminal 1410 of the normally open push switch 14-3 by the first internal wiring 3010, and the connection terminal 1830 of the terminal block 18-3 is connected to the switch terminal 1420 by the third internal wiring 3030. Note that the wiring configuration of the notification device 12-3 may be the same as that of the notification devices 12-1 and 12-2. In that case, the second internal wiring 3020 and the fourth internal wiring 3040 of the final-stage notification device 12-3 will not be used, but the configuration can be made common for all notification devices. Note that when collectively referring to the first internal wiring to the fourth internal wiring, it is called the internal wiring 30.

[0067] (b2. Wiring configuration of the signal line) Next, the wiring configuration of the signal line will be described. In this description, continue to refer to FIG. 2.

[0068] Connect one of the pair of signal wirings 20, i.e., the signal wiring 2010, between the plus terminal of the host device 10 and the connection terminal 1810 of the terminal block 18-1, between the connection terminal 1820 of the terminal block 18-1 and the connection terminal 1810 of the terminal block 18-2, and between the connection terminal 1820 of the terminal block 18-2 and the connection terminal 1810 of the terminal block 18-3.

[0069] Also, connect the other of the pair of signal wirings 20, i.e., the signal wiring 2020, between the minus terminal of the host device 10 and the connection terminal 1830 of the terminal block 18-1, between the connection terminal 1840 of the terminal block 18-1 and the connection terminal 1830 of the terminal block 18-2, and between the connection terminal 1840 of the terminal block 18-2 and the connection terminal 1830 of the terminal block 18-3.

[0070] As a result, the reporting devices 12-1 to 12-3 are sequentially connected to the line monitoring unit 1010 of the host device 10. By forming such a wiring configuration, a wiring path in which three normally open push switches 14 and three bypass resistors 16 are connected in parallel between the plus terminal and the minus terminal of the host device 10 is formed. The line monitoring unit 1010 monitors the state of the signal line including this wiring path, and the host device 10 monitors the emergency reporting line (the signal line to which the line monitoring unit 1010 is connected).

[0071] (b3. Line-to-line resistance and line current of the signal line) Next, the line-to-line resistance and line current of the signal line will be described. In this description, it will be described when the resistance value of the bypass resistor provided in the reporting device 12 is made common as R0 (=60 kΩ). In addition to FIG. 2, refer to FIG. 3 which shows in a list format the relationship between the line-to-line resistance and line current of the signal line in the normal state and when the line is broken. Note that in FIG. 3(A), the relationship between the line-to-line resistance and line current corresponding to the state of the signal line is shown in a list format, and in FIG. 3(B), the relationship between the disconnection pattern and the location where the disconnection occurs is shown in a list format.

[0072] During normal operation (when there is no disconnection in the signal line and none of the reporting devices 12 are being operated), the line monitoring unit 1010 applies a monitoring voltage, for example, a DC 48V voltage, between the positive terminal and the negative terminal, and monitors the state of the signal line based on the line current flowing through the signal line.

[0073] Here, as shown in Fig. 3(A), during normal operation, all the normally open push switches 14 of the reporting device 12 are open, and since the bypass resistors 16-1 to 16-3 are connected in parallel between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the host device 10, the line resistance between the signal lines is 20 kΩ (=R0 / 3), and a line current of 2.40 mA flows through the signal line.

[0074] In addition, when any of the normally open push switches 14 of the reporting device 12 is operated, the operated normally open push switch 14 closes, and since the potential difference between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the host device 10 disappears, a transmission signal is transmitted from the operated reporting device 12 to the host device 10.

[0075] On the other hand, when a disconnection occurs in the signal line, the line resistance between the signal lines changes from the normal state, and there are differences in the line resistance between the signal lines depending on the location where the disconnection occurs.

[0076] As shown in Figs. 3(A) and (B), as disconnection pattern 1, when a disconnection occurs in any of the signal wirings 2010, 2020 between the host device 10 and the reporting device 12-1, and the first internal wiring 3010 and the third internal wiring 3030 of the reporting device 12-1, since the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the host device 10 are in an open state, no line current flows through the signal line.

[0077] Also, as shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B), as the disconnection pattern 2, when a disconnection occurs in any of the second internal wiring 3020, the fourth internal wiring 3040 of the notification device 12-1, the signal wirings 2010 and 2020 between the notification device 12-1 and the notification device 12-2, and the first internal wiring 3010 and the third internal wiring 3030 of the notification device 12-2, since the bypass resistor 16-1 is connected between the plus terminal and the minus terminal of the host device 10, the line-to-line resistance of the signal line is 60 kΩ (=R0). When the monitoring voltage is 48 V, a line current of 0.80 mA flows through the signal line.

[0078] Also, as shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B), as the disconnection pattern 3, when a disconnection occurs in any of the second internal wiring 3020, the fourth internal wiring 3040 of the notification device 12-2, the signal wirings 2010 and 2020 between the notification device 12-2 and the notification device 12-3, and the first internal wiring 3010 and the third internal wiring 3030 of the notification device 12-3, since the bypass resistors 16-1 and 16-2 are connected in parallel between the plus terminal and the minus terminal of the host device 10, the line-to-line resistance of the signal line is 30 kΩ (=R0 / 2). When the monitoring voltage is 48 V, a line current of 1.60 mA flows through the signal line.

[0079] That is, theoretically, when the monitoring voltage is 48 V, the line current in the normal state is 2.40 mA, the line current in the disconnection pattern 3 is 1.60 mA, the line current in the disconnection pattern 2 is 0.80 mA, and the line current in the disconnection pattern 1 is 0.00 mA. Therefore, in the case of conventional disconnection monitoring, in order to distinguish and determine the states of these signal lines, for example, taking each of these theoretical current values as a reference current, giving a predetermined current range for each reference current, and when the measured current value falls within any of the current ranges, it can be considered to determine that it is the normal or disconnection pattern corresponding to the current range.

[0080] However, in reality, the line resistance between signal lines varies on various time scales due to factors other than disconnection, such as changes in the load on the cable caused by climate change, loosening due to vibration, etc., and gradual cable deterioration. In such conventional disconnection monitoring, even if there is no actual disconnection, when the line resistance between signal lines fluctuates due to the above-mentioned factors other than disconnection, there is a risk of misreporting by determining any disconnection pattern.

[0081] Therefore, in the line monitoring unit 1010 of the embodiment, even when the line resistance between signal lines fluctuates due to factors other than disconnection, it is suppressed and prevented from being misjudged as a disconnection, thereby improving the reliability of disconnection monitoring.

[0082] [c. First Embodiment of Disconnection Monitoring] Subsequently, the first embodiment of disconnection monitoring will be described. In this description, continuing with the case where the resistance value of the bypass resistor provided in the reporting device 12 is made common as R0 (= 60 kΩ) and the state of the signal line is monitored by a monitoring voltage of 48 V DC during normal times, refer to FIG. 4 which shows the relationship between the monitoring voltage and the line current in a graph.

[0083] The first embodiment of disconnection monitoring improves reliability by determining disconnection through two-stage determination by the first determination and the second determination.

[0084] The line monitoring unit 1010 determines, by the first determination, whether there is a possibility of disconnection due to a change in the line resistance between signal lines (a change in the current value) corresponding to disconnection or a factor other than disconnection from normal times.

[0085] Specifically, first, the line monitoring unit 1010 sets a predetermined reference current range with respect to the reference current Ir0, using the line current 2.40 mA during normal times as the reference current Ir0, and determines whether the measured current value is outside the reference current range.

[0086] Subsequently, when the line monitoring unit 1010 determines that the measured current value has deviated from the reference current range, it compares the measured current value with the current value set as the reference current for each disconnection pattern, similar to the line current of 2.40 mA during normal times. For example, it further determines which disconnection pattern is likely to have occurred by determining the disconnection pattern with the current value closest to the measured current value. In the embodiment, since there are three disconnection patterns with different inter-line resistances, the disconnection pattern is determined. However, if the inter-line resistance during disconnection is common regardless of the disconnection occurrence position and there are no multiple disconnection patterns, the determination of the disconnection pattern can be omitted.

[0087] Thereby, the line monitoring unit 1010 can determine that there is a possibility of disconnection after identifying the disconnection pattern that may have occurred.

[0088] Next, when the line monitoring unit 1010 determines that there is a possibility of disconnection based on the first determination, it determines, based on the second determination, whether the cause of the variation in the inter-line resistance (variation in current value) of the signal line is disconnection or a cause other than disconnection. In the second determination of the first embodiment, the monitoring voltage is changed to measure the line current, and based on a plurality of line currents measured at different monitoring voltages, it is characterized in that it is determined whether it is disconnection or a cause other than disconnection.

[0089] For example, when considering the case where the monitoring voltage is changed to 24 V and 60 V in addition to 48 V during the second determination and the line current is measured with three different monitoring voltages, the relationship between the monitoring voltage and the line current is V = I·R. If there is no variation in the inter-line resistance of the signal line due to factors other than disconnection during the period when the monitoring voltage is changed and measured, the relationship between the monitoring voltage and the line current during normal times and in disconnection patterns 1 to 3 is a linear straight line as shown in FIG. 4.

[0090] That is, when a disconnection actually occurs, each of the line currents measured by changing the monitoring voltage will lie on the primary straight line corresponding to the disconnection pattern determined by the first determination. However, for example, when a temporary load is applied to a cable or the like, or when a factor that causes a short-term or rapid fluctuation in the line resistance of the signal line occurs, the line current measured by changing the monitoring voltage does not necessarily lie on the primary straight line corresponding to the disconnection pattern determined by the first determination.

[0091] Therefore, for the second determination, the line monitoring unit 1010 stores the primary straight lines in each state shown in FIG. 4 as calibration curves, and determines whether it is a disconnection or a factor other than disconnection by comparing a plurality of line currents measured at different monitoring voltages with the calibration curves.

[0092] Here, the method of comparing a plurality of line currents measured at different monitoring voltages with the calibration curve is arbitrary. For example, using the least squares method from the line currents measured at different monitoring voltages and the monitoring voltages set for measurement, as shown in FIG. 4, a regression line is generated with the X-axis as the monitoring voltage and the Y-axis as the line current, and the slope of the generated regression line is compared with the slope of the calibration curve corresponding to the disconnection pattern determined by the first determination. If the slope of the generated regression line is within a predetermined slope range (for example, within ±10% of the reference slope) with the slope of the calibration curve as the reference slope, it is determined as a disconnection, and if it is outside the predetermined slope range, it is determined as a factor other than disconnection.

[0093] In addition, for example, each of the line currents corresponding to a plurality of monitoring voltages set for measurement is read from the calibration curve of the disconnection pattern determined by the first determination, the line current measured at the same monitoring voltage is associated with the line current read from the calibration curve, the correlation coefficient between the measured line current and the line current read from the calibration curve is obtained, and if the correlation coefficient is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, the correlation coefficient is 0.7 or more), it is determined as a disconnection, and if it is less than the predetermined value, it may be determined as a factor other than disconnection.

[0094] As a result, the line monitoring unit 1010 can distinguish a disconnection from factors other than those that cause short-term or rapid fluctuations in the line-to-line resistance of the signal line, and can improve the reliability of disconnection monitoring. In addition, when the line monitoring unit 1010 determines a disconnection, it can classify the disconnection into disconnection patterns 1 to 3 and determine it, so that it is possible to specify the location of the disconnection more specifically than in the conventional emergency reporting system.

[0095] When a disconnection is determined, for example, as shown in Fig. 3(B), the generated disconnection pattern and the location of the disconnection corresponding to the disconnection pattern are displayed and notified. At the site, it is only necessary to confirm the location of the notified disconnection, and it is not necessary to check whether a disconnection has occurred in all the wirings, and it is possible to quickly recover from the disconnection. In addition, as a notification mode, it may be possible to display and notify a wiring diagram as shown in Fig. 2 so as to be able to identify the range of the location of the disconnection corresponding to the detected disconnection pattern. Even when it is determined that the cause is other than a disconnection, the determination result may be notified.

[0096] In addition, the line monitoring unit 1010 may separately determine the accuracy (likelihood of disconnection) of the disconnection determination. For example, if the slope of the generated regression line is within a predetermined first slope range (for example, within ±10% of the reference slope) based on the slope of the calibration curve, it is determined as "disconnection". If the slope is outside the predetermined first slope range and within a second slope range that is wider than the first slope range (for example, within ±20% of the reference slope), it is determined as "possible disconnection". If it is outside the second range, it is determined as "factors other than disconnection". When it is determined as "possible disconnection", it may be notified by a preliminary warning.

[0097] Also, in the case of determination based on the correlation coefficient between the measured line current and the line current read from the calibration curve, if the correlation coefficient is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value (for example, the correlation coefficient is 0.7 or greater), it is determined that there is a disconnection. If it is less than the first predetermined value and equal to or greater than a second predetermined value lower than the first predetermined value (for example, the correlation coefficient is 0.4 or greater and less than 0.7), it is determined that "there may be a disconnection". If it is less than the second predetermined value, it may be determined as "factors other than disconnection".

[0098] [d. Update of determination conditions] Subsequently, an explanation will be given regarding the update of the determination conditions for disconnection monitoring. In this explanation, the state of the signal line will continue to be monitored by the monitoring voltage of 48V DC, and the case where the monitoring voltage is changed to 24V, 48V, and 60V during the second determination of disconnection monitoring will be described.

[0099] The line monitoring unit 1010 can determine disconnection by distinguishing from factors that cause short-term or rapid fluctuations in the line resistance of the signal line through the above-described disconnection monitoring. However, when factors that cause long-term fluctuations in the line resistance of the signal line, such as gradual deterioration, occur and the line resistance of the signal line gradually fluctuates over time, there is no substantial fluctuation in the line resistance of the signal line during the period when the monitoring voltage is changed and measured, and the line current measured by changing the monitoring voltage may lie on the primary straight line of the disconnection pattern shown in FIG. 4.

[0100] Also, when factors that cause long-term fluctuations in the line resistance of the signal line occur, since the line current measured by changing the monitoring voltage when a disconnection actually occurs is affected by this, the measured line current may deviate from the calibration curve that is not affected by factors that cause long-term fluctuations in the line resistance of the signal line, and there is also a possibility that a correct disconnection determination will not be made.

[0101] Therefore, the line monitoring unit 1010 updates the determination conditions at a predetermined timing so as to remove the influence of factors that fluctuate the line resistance of the signal line over a long period of time and to correctly determine a disconnection when a disconnection occurs. Here, the timing for updating the determination conditions is arbitrary. For example, it can be performed periodically such as once a month, by an artificial operation, when a predetermined deviation occurs between the line current measured during normal operation and the reference current Ir0 set based on the line current during normal operation. It can be performed at various timings such as these.

[0102] Also, the method for updating the determination conditions is arbitrary. For example, the monitoring voltage is changed to 24V, 48V, 60V to measure the line current, and from the measured line current, a regression line is generated using, for example, the least squares method with the monitoring voltage on the X-axis and the line current on the Y-axis. The generated regression line is corrected to pass through the origin (0, 0) and stored as a new calibration curve during normal operation. Subsequently, based on the degree of change between the calibration curve before update and the calibration curve after update during normal operation, new calibration curves for disconnection patterns 1 to 3 are generated and stored. For example, if the slope of the calibration curve during normal operation after update is 90% of the slope of the calibration curve during normal operation before update, the calibration curves for disconnection patterns 1 to 3 are also updated so that the slope is 90% of the slope of the calibration curve.

[0103] Also, although the calibration curve is used for the second determination in disconnection monitoring, when generating a new calibration curve, since the line current at a monitoring voltage of 48V is also measured, the reference current Ir0 used for the first determination is also updated, and the reference current range for the first determination based on the reference current Ir0 is also updated.

[0104] And since the reference current Ir0 used for the first determination and the reference current range based on the reference current Ir0 take into account the influence of factors that fluctuate the line resistance of the signal line over a long period of time due to the update, it becomes impossible to determine that there is a possibility of disconnection in the first determination due to factors that fluctuate the line resistance of the signal line over a long period of time.

[0105] Similarly, the calibration curve used for the second determination takes into account the influence of factors that fluctuate the line resistance between signal lines in the long term due to updates. Therefore, when a disconnection actually occurs during the second determination, the current value measured by changing the monitoring voltage does not deviate from the stored calibration curve, and the disconnection can be correctly determined as a disconnection.

[0106] [e. Disconnection monitoring process] Subsequently, an example of the disconnection monitoring process by the line monitoring unit is shown in a flowchart. Refer to FIG. 5 shown in the flowchart showing the disconnection monitoring process in the first embodiment for this description.

[0107] During normal times, the line monitoring unit 1010 monitors the state of the signal line at a predetermined monitoring voltage, and at a predetermined update timing, updates the determination conditions for the first determination and the second determination based on the line current measured during normal times (steps S1 to S2).

[0108] Subsequently, the line monitoring unit 1010 determines whether the measured line current deviates from the reference current range set based on the normal line current. If the measured line current deviates from the reference current range, it is determined that there may be a disconnection. At the same time, the measured line current is compared with the current values set as the reference current for each disconnection pattern to determine the possible disconnection pattern that has occurred (steps S3 to S5). Note that the processing in steps S3 to S5 corresponds to the first determination in disconnection monitoring.

[0109] Subsequently, when it is determined by the first determination that there may be a disconnection, the line monitoring unit 1010 changes the monitoring voltage to a plurality of set voltage values to measure the line current, and compares the plurality of line currents measured at different monitoring voltages with the calibration curve of the disconnection pattern determined by the first determination (steps S6, S7).

[0110] As a result of comparing the line current with the calibration curve, when the line monitoring unit 1010 determines a disconnection, it notifies the occurrence location of the disconnection specified by the disconnection pattern determined by the first determination and the fact that a disconnection has occurred (determination result). When it determines a factor other than disconnection, it notifies that determination result (steps S8 to S11). Note that the processing in steps S6 to S10 corresponds to the second determination in disconnection monitoring.

[0111] Then, when the operator's response is completed with respect to the notification of the determination result by the line monitoring unit 1010, a recovery operation for returning to the normal monitoring state is performed (step S12), and it returns to step S1 again to monitor the state of the signal line at a predetermined monitoring voltage.

[0112] [f. Second Embodiment of Disconnection Monitoring] Subsequently, the second embodiment of disconnection monitoring will be described. In the first embodiment of disconnection monitoring described above, it was characterized in that the monitoring voltage was changed during the second determination to measure the line current for determination. In the second embodiment, it is characterized in that the line-to-line resistance of the signal line is changed during the second determination to measure the line current for determination.

[0113] (f1. Configuration of Line-to-Line Resistance Variable Circuit) First, a line-to-line resistance variable circuit for changing the line-to-line resistance of the signal line during the second determination will be described. In this description, refer to FIG. 6 showing the configuration of an emergency notification system with a line-to-line resistance variable circuit added.

[0114] The line-to-line resistance variable circuit 1020 is provided in the upper device 10 and is located between the line monitoring unit 1010 and the notification device 12-1, and is a circuit composed of a switch circuit 1022 and bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028.

[0115] The bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028 are connected in parallel between the signal wirings 2010 and 2020 drawn out from the line monitoring unit 1010. The bypass resistor 1024 has a resistance value corresponding to the bypass resistor 16-1 of the notification device 12-1, the bypass resistor 1026 has a resistance value corresponding to the bypass resistor 16-2 of the notification device 12-2, and the bypass resistor 1028 has a resistance value corresponding to the bypass resistor 16-3 of the notification device 12-3.

[0116] The switch circuit 1022 is a circuit for switching the connection state of the bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028 to the signal wiring 2010. Under the control of the line monitoring unit 1010, the connection state of each of the bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028 is switched. Under normal conditions, all of the bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028 are in a non-connected state with respect to the signal wiring 2010. Note that the switch circuit 1022 may switch the connection state of the bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028 with respect to the signal wiring 2020, or may switch the connection state of the bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028 with respect to the signal wirings 2010 and 2020.

[0117] (f2. Second determination in disconnection monitoring) Next, a second determination for changing the line-to-line resistance of the signal line in the second embodiment of the disconnection monitoring will be described. In this description, similar to the first embodiment, the resistance values of the bypass resistors provided in the notification device 12 are made common as R0 (= 60 kΩ), and the state of the signal line is monitored by a monitoring voltage of DC 48V under normal conditions. Refer to FIG. 7 showing the relationship between the line-to-line resistance and the line current in a graph, and FIG. 8 schematically showing the connection states of the bypass resistors in the normal state and the disconnection state. Note that FIG. 8(A) shows the normal state, FIG. 8(B) shows the disconnection pattern 1, FIG. 8(C) shows the disconnection pattern 2, FIG. 8(D) shows the disconnection pattern 3, and FIGS. 8(B) to (D) show the states before and after the operation of the line-to-line resistance variable circuit.

[0118] Also, regarding the second embodiment of disconnection monitoring, disconnection monitoring is also performed in two stages of first determination and second determination in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, since it is basically the same as the first embodiment of disconnection monitoring except for the second determination, the description thereof is omitted.

[0119] The second embodiment of disconnection monitoring is characterized in that it measures and determines the line current by changing the line-to-line resistance of the signal line. Using the bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028 of the line-to-line resistance variable circuit 1020, the line-to-line resistance of the signal line is adjusted (changed) so as to return from the line-to-line resistance at the time of disconnection to the line-to-line resistance in the normal state, and then the line current is measured.

[0120] Here, for example, considering the case where a disconnection of disconnection pattern 3 occurs, the line current should measure a current in the vicinity of 1.6 mA, and the line-to-line resistance of the signal line should change from 20 kΩ in the normal state to 30 kΩ. Therefore, using the bypass resistors of the line-to-line resistance variable circuit 1020, the line-to-line resistance of the signal line is set to 20 kΩ in the normal state, and the line current is measured. Then, it is confirmed whether the line current returns to 2.4 mA in the normal state.

[0121] When a disconnection of disconnection pattern 3 occurs, as shown on the left side of FIG. 8(D), the state of the signal line before the operation of the line-to-line resistance variable circuit 1020 is such that the bypass resistor 16-3 of the reporting device 12-3 is disconnected from the signal wiring, and the bypass resistors 16-1 and 16-2 of the reporting devices 12-1 and 12-2 are connected in parallel to the signal wiring. Therefore, the line monitoring unit 1010 controls the switch circuit 1022 to connect the bypass resistor 1028 corresponding to the bypass resistor 16-3 disconnected from the signal wiring to the signal wiring. As shown on the right side of FIG. 8(D), the state of the signal line is changed to a state where the bypass resistors 16-1, 16-2, and 1029 are connected in parallel to the signal wiring, and the line-to-line resistance of the signal line is adjusted to be the same as the line-to-line resistance in the normal state. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the relationship between the line-to-line resistance and the line current changes from a line-to-line resistance of 30 kΩ and a line current of 1.6 mA in disconnection pattern 3 to a line-to-line resistance of 20 kΩ and a line current of 2.4 mA in the normal state.

[0122] On the other hand, when proceeding to the second determination due to factors other than disconnection that cause short-term or rapid fluctuations in the line resistance of the signal line, since no disconnection has occurred and the state where the bypass resistance 16-3 of the reporting device 12-3 is connected to the signal wiring is maintained, when the switch circuit 1022 is controlled so that the line monitoring unit 1010 connects the bypass resistance 1028 corresponding to the bypass resistance 16-3 to the signal wiring, four bypass resistances of 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, and 1028 are connected in parallel to the signal wiring, and it is impossible to measure the normal 2.4 m even when measuring the line current in this state.

[0123] That is, based on the disconnection pattern determined by the first determination, the line monitoring unit 1010 can determine whether it is a disconnection or a factor other than disconnection based on whether the normal line current is measured in the line current measured after adjusting the line resistance of the signal line using the bypass resistances 1024, 1026, and 1028 of the line resistance variable circuit 1020.

[0124] Therefore, the line monitoring unit 1010 uses the reference current Ir0 based on the normal line current also used in the first determination, and if the line current measured after adjusting the line resistance of the signal line is within a predetermined current range (for example, within ±10% of the reference current) with respect to the reference current Ir0, it determines that there is a disconnection, and if it is outside the predetermined current range, it determines that it is a factor other than disconnection.

[0125] Also, in the second embodiment, the line monitoring unit 1010 may separately determine the accuracy (likelihood of disconnection) of the disconnection determination for the disconnection determination. For example, if the measured line current is within a predetermined first current range (for example, within ±10% of the reference current) with respect to the reference current Ir0, it determines "disconnection", and if it is outside the predetermined first current range and within a second current range that is wider than the first current range (for example, within ±20% of the reference current), it determines "possibility of disconnection", and if it is outside the second current range, it determines "factor other than disconnection".

[0126] Also, although the case of the disconnection pattern 3 has been described, when the disconnection pattern determined by the first determination is the disconnection pattern 1, as shown on the left side of FIG. 8(B), since the bypass resistors 16-1 to 16-3 are disconnected from the signal wiring, the line monitoring unit 1010 controls the switch circuit 1022 to connect the bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028 corresponding to the bypass resistors 16-1 to 16-3 to the signal wiring. As shown on the right side of FIG. 8(B), the signal line is changed to a state in which the bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028 are connected in parallel to the signal wiring, and the signal line is adjusted so that the line-to-line resistance is the same as the line-to-line resistance in the normal state.

[0127] Also, when the disconnection pattern determined by the first determination is the disconnection pattern 2, as shown on the left side of FIG. 8(C), since the bypass resistors 16-2 and 16-3 are disconnected from the signal wiring, the line monitoring unit 1010 controls the switch circuit 1022 to connect the bypass resistors 1026 and 1028 corresponding to the bypass resistors 16-2 and 16-3 to the signal wiring. As shown on the right side of FIG. 8(C), the signal line is changed to a state in which the bypass resistors 16-1, 1026, and 1028 are connected in parallel to the signal wiring, and the signal line is adjusted so that the line-to-line resistance is the same as the line-to-line resistance in the normal state.

[0128] (f3. Update of determination conditions) Next, an update of the determination conditions for disconnection monitoring in the second embodiment will be described. In this description, the case where the state of the signal line is monitored by a monitoring voltage of 48 V DC during normal operation will be continuously described.

[0129] The line monitoring unit 1010 can determine disconnection while distinguishing from factors that cause the line-to-line resistance of the signal line to fluctuate temporarily or rapidly even in the case of the second embodiment of disconnection monitoring. However, when a factor that causes the line-to-line resistance of the signal line to fluctuate over a long period occurs, even if the line-to-line resistance of the signal line is adjusted using the bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028, it may be affected by the factor that causes the line-to-line resistance of the signal line to fluctuate over a long period, and the measured line current may fall within a predetermined current range based on the reference current Ir0.

[0130] Therefore, also in the case of the second embodiment of the disconnection monitoring, in order to eliminate the influence of factors that fluctuate the line resistance of the signal line in the long term, the line monitoring unit 1010 updates the determination conditions at a predetermined timing. Here too, the timing for updating the determination conditions is arbitrary, and for example, it can be performed regularly such as once a month, by an artificial operation, when a predetermined deviation occurs between the line current measured during normal times and the reference current Ir0 set based on the line current during normal times. It can be performed at various timings such as this.

[0131] In the second embodiment of the disconnection monitoring, since both the first determination and the second determination use the reference current Ir0 based on the line current during normal times, by measuring the line current at the DC 48V which is the monitoring voltage during normal times, the reference current Ir0 is updated. By considering the influence of factors that fluctuate the line resistance of the signal line in the long term for the reference current Ir0 and the current range set based on the reference current, it is possible to prevent being determined as a disconnection due to factors that fluctuate the line resistance of the signal line in the long term.

[0132] (f4. Disconnection monitoring process) Next, an example of the disconnection monitoring process in the second embodiment is shown in a flowchart. Refer to FIG. 9 shown in the flowchart showing the disconnection monitoring process in the second embodiment for this description.

[0133] The line monitoring unit 1010 normally monitors the state of the signal line at a predetermined monitoring voltage, and at a predetermined update timing, updates the determination conditions for the first determination and the second determination based on the line current measured during normal times (steps S21 to S22).

[0134] Subsequently, the line monitoring unit 1010 determines whether the measured line current deviates from the reference current range set based on the normal line current. If the measured line current deviates from the reference current range, it is determined that there may be a disconnection. At the same time, the measured line current is compared with the current values set as the reference currents for each disconnection pattern to determine the possible disconnection pattern that has occurred (steps S23 to S25). Note that the processing in steps S23 to S25 corresponds to the first determination in disconnection monitoring.

[0135] Subsequently, when it is determined by the first determination that there may be a disconnection, corresponding to the disconnection pattern determined by the first determination, the bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028 of the inter-line resistance variable circuit 1020 are used to adjust the inter-line resistance of the signal line to return from the inter-line resistance at the time of disconnection to the inter-line resistance in the normal state, and the line current is measured after the adjustment of the inter-line resistance (steps S26, S27).

[0136] When the measured line current is within the predetermined current range set based on the normal line current, the line monitoring unit 1010 determines that there is a disconnection, and notifies that a disconnection has occurred together with the location of the disconnection specified by the disconnection pattern determined by the first determination (determination result). When the measured line current deviates from the predetermined current range, it is determined that there is a factor other than a disconnection, and the determination result is notified (steps S28 to S31). Note that the processing in steps S26 to S30 corresponds to the second determination in disconnection monitoring.

[0137] When the operator's response is completed in response to the notification of the determination result by the line monitoring unit 1010, a recovery operation is performed to return to the normal monitoring state, such as releasing the connection state of the bypass resistors 1024, 1026, and 1028 of the inter-line resistance variable circuit 1020 (step S32), and then returning to step S21 again to monitor the state of the signal line at the predetermined monitoring voltage.

[0138] [g. Emergency equipment] Next, the emergency facilities such as tunnels to which the above-mentioned emergency reporting system is applied will be described. The emergency facilities include a disaster prevention receiving panel to which a higher-level device is applied, and a fire hydrant device provided with a transmitter to which a reporting device is applied, etc. The case where a plurality of fire hydrant devices are installed at predetermined intervals will be described.

[0139] (g1. Fire hydrant device) First, the fire hydrant device will be described. In this description, refer to FIG. 10 showing the fire hydrant device.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 10, the fire hydrant device 50 has a structure divided into a housing 5110 whose interior is a fire hydrant storage section and a housing 5120 whose interior is a fire extinguisher storage section, and decorative frames 5210, 5220 are attached to the front surfaces of the housings 5110, 5120.

[0141] The door opening of the decorative frame 5210 of the housing 5110 is divided vertically, and a forward-tilting fire hydrant door 54 that opens downward by a hinge is provided on the lower side of the door opening, and a maintenance door 55 that opens upward by a hinge is provided on the upper side of the door opening. Inside, valves including a fire hose and a fire hydrant valve are stored in the fire hydrant storage section.

[0142] On the left side of the door opening of the decorative frame 5220 of the housing 5120, a fire extinguisher door 56 that opens horizontally to the left by a hinge is provided, and, for example, two fire extinguishers can be stored in the internal fire extinguisher storage section. In addition, a viewing window is provided below the fire extinguisher door 56 so that the presence or absence of a fire extinguisher can be confirmed from the outside.

[0143] On the right side of the door opening of the decorative frame 5220, an electrical equipment door 58 that opens horizontally to the right by a hinge is provided. On the electrical equipment door 58, for example, a red indicator lamp 60, a transmitter 62, and a response lamp 64 are provided as components of the emergency reporting device, and a telephone jack is provided inside the housing of the electrical equipment door 58. The red indicator lamp 60 is always lit so that the installation location of the fire hydrant device 50 can be known from a distance.

[0144] The transmitter 62 is equipped with a push-button normally open pressure switch that is pressed during a fire. When the button of the transmitter 62 is pressed, the switch contacts of the normally open pressure switch close, sending a fire alarm signal (transmission signal) to the disaster prevention receiving panel, causing the disaster prevention receiving panel to output a fire alarm, and also causing, for example, the alarm display board installed at the tunnel entrance to perform interlocking control of emergency facilities such as a display for prohibiting entry into the tunnel. The transmitter 62 equipped with such a normally open pressure switch is a location where the aforementioned reporting device 12 can be applied.

[0145] The response lamp 64 lights up by the response signal transmitted from the disaster prevention receiving panel when the disaster prevention receiving panel receives a fire alarm signal. Also, the response lamp 64 is connected to the disaster prevention receiving panel via a normally open pressure switch for response lighting that is interlocked with the normally open pressure switch of the transmitter 62, and is designed to light up on the condition that the normally open pressure switch for response lighting interlocked with the closing of the normally open pressure switch of the transmitter 62 closes.

[0146] The right side inside the housing 5110 is a valve storage section, and a fire hose is connected to the water supply pipe drawn in from the outside via a water supply faucet, a fire hydrant valve, and an automatic pressure regulating valve. The fire hydrant valve is opened and closed by a fire hydrant valve opening and closing lever. When the fire hydrant valve opening and closing lever is opened, the normally open pressure switch of the pump start interlocking device 67 closes, sending a pump start signal (transmission signal) to the disaster prevention receiving panel, and the disaster prevention receiving panel controls the start of the fire pump facility, etc.

[0147] Also, inside the opened maintenance door 55, a pump start device 66 used by the fire brigade is provided. When the pump start device 66 is operated, the normally open pressure switch closes, sending a pump start signal (transmission signal) to the disaster prevention receiving panel, and the disaster prevention receiving panel controls the start of the fire pump facility, etc.

[0148] The normally open push switches of the pump starting device 66 and the normally open push switch of the pump starting interlocking device 67 are connected in parallel, and the disaster prevention receiving panel controls the activation of the fire pump equipment when either one of the devices is operated. The pump starting device 66 and the pump starting interlocking device 67 equipped with such normally open push switches are locations where the above-described reporting device 12 can be applied.

[0149] Inside the rear surface of the housing 5120 behind the fire extinguisher door 56, terminal boxes 6810 and 6820 equipped with terminal blocks are arranged. A signal cable (signal wiring) for high-voltage electricity from the disaster prevention receiving panel is connected to the terminal block of the terminal box 6810, and internal wiring for the red indicator lamp 60 is also connected.

[0150] Also, a signal cable (signal wiring) for low-voltage electricity from the disaster prevention receiving panel is connected to the terminal block of the terminal box 6820, and internal wiring for the transmitter 62, response lamp 64, telephone jack, pump starting device 66, and pump starting interlocking device 67 is connected.

[0151] (g2. Emergency equipment applying the emergency reporting system) Next, the emergency equipment applying the emergency reporting system will be described. For this description, refer to FIG. 11 showing the emergency equipment to which the emergency reporting system is applied.

[0152] (g2-1. Configuration of the fire hydrant device at the location where the reporting device is applied) First, the configuration of the fire hydrant device at the location where the above-described reporting device 12 is applied will be described. The fire hydrant device 50 includes, as normally open push switches, a normally open push switch 72 of the transmitter 62, a normally open push switch 74 provided corresponding to the response lamp 64, a normally open push switch 76 of the pump starting device 66, and a normally open push switch 77 of the pump starting interlocking device 67.

[0153] Also, a bypass resistor 82 is connected between the switch terminals 7210 and 7220 of the normally open push switch 72, so that the bypass resistor 82 is connected in parallel to the normally open push switch 72. Further, a bypass resistor 86 is connected between the switch terminals 7710 and 7720 of the normally open push switch 77, and by connecting between the switch terminal 7610 of the normally open push switch 76 and the switch terminal 7710 of the normally open push switch 77, and between the switch terminal 7620 of the normally open push switch 76 and the switch terminal 7720 of the normally open push switch 77, the normally open push switch 76, the normally open push switch 77, and the bypass resistor 86 are connected in parallel.

[0154] Here, the transmitter 62 is a two-circuit switch including the normally open push switch 72 and the normally open push switch 74 corresponding to the response lamp 64, and the normally open push switch 74 operates in conjunction with the pushing operation of the normally open push switch 72. Also, the normally open push switch 76 corresponding to the pump starting device 66 and the normally open push switch 77 corresponding to the pump starting interlocking device 67 are connected in parallel, and are configured to transmit a pump starting signal when any of the switches is closed.

[0155] Also, for the terminal block 90 of the terminal box 6820, ten connection terminals 9000 to 9090 will be used.

[0156] In addition, when distinguishing the fire hydrant devices 50, they may be called fire hydrant devices 50-1, 50-2, 50-3 in order from the fire disaster receiving panel 40 side, and the same applies to the normally open push switches 72, 74, 76, 77, the bypass resistors 82, 86, and the terminal block 90 provided in each fire hydrant device. In FIG. 11, since the reference numerals for the fire hydrant devices 50-2 and 50-3 are basically the same as those for the fire hydrant device 50-1, only the minimum necessary description is provided.

[0157] (g2-2. Wiring configuration for the normally open push switch included in the transmitter) Next, the wiring configuration for the normally open push switch included in the transmitter will be described.

[0158] To the switch terminal 7210 of the normally open push switch 72-1 of the fire hydrant device 50-1, connect the connection terminal 9010 of the terminal block 90-1 with the first internal wiring 9410 and connect the connection terminal 9020 of the terminal block 90-1 with the second internal wiring 9420. Also, to the switch terminal 7220 of the normally open push switch 72-1, connect the connection terminal 9030 of the terminal block 90-1 with the third internal wiring 9430 and connect the connection terminal 9040 of the terminal block 90-1 with the fourth internal wiring 9440. The same applies to the normally open push switch 72-2 of the fire hydrant device 50-2.

[0159] Also, in the case of the normally open push switch 72-3, connect the connection terminal 9010 of the terminal block 90-3 to the switch terminal 7210 with the first internal wiring 9410, and connect the connection terminal 9030 of the terminal block 90-3 to the switch terminal 7220 with the third internal wiring 9430.

[0160] Then, connect one of the pair of signal wirings 9210 drawn from the disaster prevention receiving panel 40 between the positive terminal corresponding to the normally open push switch 72 of the disaster prevention receiving panel 40 and the connection terminal 9010 of the terminal block 90-1, between the connection terminal 9020 of the terminal block 90-1 and the connection terminal 9010 of the terminal block 90-2, and between the connection terminal 9020 of the terminal block 90-2 and the connection terminal 9010 of the terminal block 90-3.

[0161] Also, connect the other signal wiring 9220 of the pair of signal wirings between the negative terminal corresponding to the normally open push switch 72 of the disaster prevention receiving panel 40 and the connection terminal 9030 of the terminal block 90-1, between the connection terminal 9040 of the terminal block 90-1 and the connection terminal 9030 of the terminal block 90-2, and between the connection terminal 9040 of the terminal block 90-2 and the connection terminal 9030 of the terminal block 90-3.

[0162] As a result, the normally open push switches 72 of the fire hydrant device 50 are sequentially connected to the line monitoring unit 4010 of the disaster prevention receiving panel 40, and a wiring path is formed in which three normally open push switches 72 and three bypass resistors 82 are connected in parallel between the positive terminal and the negative terminal corresponding to the normally open push switch 72 of the disaster prevention receiving panel 40.

[0163] Regarding the disconnection monitoring of the signal line for the normally open push switch 72 by the line monitoring unit 4010, since it is basically the same as the content described in the emergency reporting system, the description thereof is omitted. Incidentally, when performing disconnection monitoring in the second embodiment, a line resistance variable circuit 1020 is added to the emergency equipment.

[0164] (g2-3. Wiring configuration for the normally open push switch provided in the pump starting device) Next, the wiring configuration for the normally open push switch provided in the pump starting device will be described. Incidentally, since the normally open push switch of the pump starting interlocking device is connected in parallel to the normally open push switch provided in the pump starting device, the wiring configuration for the normally open push switch provided in the pump starting device is also the wiring configuration for the normally open push switch provided in the pump starting interlocking device.

[0165] The connection terminal 9050 of the terminal block 90-1 is connected to the switch terminal 7610 of the normally open push switch 76-1 of the fire hydrant device 50-1 by the first internal wiring 9450, and the connection terminal 9060 of the terminal block 90-1 is connected by the second internal wiring 9460. Further, the connection terminal 9070 of the terminal block 90-1 is connected to the switch terminal 7620 of the normally open push switch 76-1 by the third internal wiring 9470, and the connection terminal 9080 of the terminal block 90-1 is connected by the fourth internal wiring 9480. The same applies to the normally open push switch 76-2 of the fire hydrant device 50-2.

[0166] Also, in the case of the normally open push switch 76-3, the connection terminal 9050 of the terminal block 90-3 is connected to the switch terminal 7610 by the first internal wiring 9450, and the connection terminal 9070 of the terminal block 90-3 is connected to the switch terminal 7620 by the third internal wiring 9470.

[0167] Then, connect one of the pair of signal wiring, i.e., signal wiring 9230, drawn out from the disaster prevention receiver 40, between the plus terminal corresponding to the normally open push switches 76 and 77 of the disaster prevention receiver 40 and the connection terminal 9050 of the terminal block 90-1, between the connection terminal 9060 of the terminal block 90-1 and the connection terminal 9050 of the terminal block 90-2, and between the connection terminal 9060 of the terminal block 90-2 and the connection terminal 9050 of the terminal block 90-3.

[0168] Also, connect the other of the pair of signal wiring, i.e., signal wiring 9240, between the minus terminal corresponding to the normally open push switches 76 and 77 of the disaster prevention receiver 40 and the connection terminal 9070 of the terminal block 90-1, between the connection terminal 9080 of the terminal block 90-1 and the connection terminal 9070 of the terminal block 90-2, and between the connection terminal 9080 of the terminal block 90-2 and the connection terminal 9070 of the terminal block 90-3.

[0169] As a result, the normally open push switch 76 and the normally open push switch 77 of the fire hydrant device 50 are sequentially connected to the line monitoring unit 4010 of the disaster prevention receiver 40, and a wiring path is formed in which three normally open push switches 76, three normally open push switches 77, and three bypass resistors 86 are connected in parallel between the plus terminal and the minus terminal corresponding to the normally open push switches 76 and 77 of the disaster prevention receiver 40.

[0170] Regarding the disconnection monitoring of the signal lines for the normally open push switch 76 and the normally open push switch 77 by the line monitoring unit 4010, since it is basically the same as the content described in the emergency reporting system, the description thereof is omitted. In addition, when performing disconnection monitoring in the second embodiment, a line resistance variable circuit 1020 is added to the emergency equipment.

[0171] (g2-4. Wiring configuration for the normally open push switch corresponding to the response lamp) The wiring configuration for the normally open push switch corresponding to the response lamp will be described.

[0172] Connect the connection terminal 9000 of the terminal block 90 to the switch terminal 7410 of the normally open push switch 74 of the fire hydrant device 50 with the internal wiring 9400, and connect the connection terminal 9090 of the terminal block 90 to the switch terminal 7420 via the response lamp 64 with the internal wiring 9490.

[0173] Then, connect one of the pair of signal wirings, the signal wiring 9250, between the positive terminal corresponding to the normally open push switch 74 of the disaster prevention receiving panel 40 and the connection terminal 9000 of the terminal block 90-1, between the connection terminal 9000 of the terminal block 90-1 and the connection terminal 9000 of the terminal block 90-2, and between the connection terminal 9000 of the terminal block 90-2 and the connection terminal 9000 of the terminal block 90-3.

[0174] Also, connect the other of the pair of signal wirings, the signal wiring 9260, between the negative terminal corresponding to the normally open push switch 74 of the disaster prevention receiving panel 40 and the connection terminal 9090 of the terminal block 90-1, between the connection terminal 9090 of the terminal block 90-1 and the connection terminal 9090 of the terminal block 90-2, and between the connection terminal 9090 of the terminal block 90-2 and the connection terminal 9090 of the terminal block 90-3.

[0175] As a result, the normally open push switch 74 of the fire hydrant device 50 is sequentially connected to the line monitoring unit 4010 of the disaster prevention receiving panel 40, and a wiring path is formed in which three normally open push switches 74 are connected in parallel between the positive terminal and the negative terminal corresponding to the normally open push switch 74 of the disaster prevention receiving panel 40.

[0176] Note that the line monitoring unit 4010 does not perform disconnection monitoring of the signal line for the normally open push switch 74.

[0177] [h. Modification Example of the Present Invention] A modification example of the emergency reporting system according to the present invention will be described. The emergency reporting system of the present invention includes the following modifications in addition to the above-described embodiments.

[0178] (Emergency Reporting System) In the above embodiment, the case where the emergency reporting system is applied to emergency facilities such as a tunnel is taken as an example. However, the reporting device and the device / equipment to which the emergency reporting system is applied are arbitrary. For example, the reporting device may be applied to a manual reporting device connected to a disaster prevention receiver. The manual reporting device is provided with a transmitter, and by similarly configuring the wiring for the push switch of the transmitter, it is possible to monitor the state of the emergency reporting line including the internal wiring.

[0179] (Number of connection terminals of the reporting device, push switch provided in the reporting device, and terminal block used) The number of reporting devices shown in the above embodiment, the number of push switches provided in the reporting device, and the number of connection terminals of the terminal block used corresponding to the number of push switches are only examples and are not limited thereto. An appropriate reporting device may be configured corresponding to the number of push switches, and the reporting device may be connected to the signal wiring from the upper device to form an emergency reporting system, as long as it is possible to monitor the state of the emergency reporting line (signal line) including the internal wiring. The wiring method and wiring route of the emergency reporting line (signal line) are arbitrary as long as the internal wiring can be monitored.

[0180] (Inter-wire resistance variable circuit) In the above embodiment, in the disconnection monitoring of the second embodiment, the inter-wire resistance variable circuit added to the emergency reporting system is composed of a switch circuit and a bypass resistor. However, any circuit that can be adjusted to the normal inter-wire resistance during the second determination is acceptable. For example, instead of the bypass resistor, a variable resistor with an adjustable resistance value may be provided, and the variable resistor may be adjusted to an arbitrary resistance value corresponding to the generated disconnection pattern.

[0181] (Monitoring of wiring deterioration) Also, the upper device and the line monitoring unit may determine the deterioration of the wiring as the state of the line. For example, by detecting that the line current exceeds a predetermined value, the insulation deterioration of the wiring may be detected, or by detecting that the line current is below a predetermined value, a sign of disconnection of the wiring may be detected.

[0182] (Others) In addition, the present invention includes appropriate modifications that do not impair its objectives and advantages, and is not limited by the numerical values shown in the above embodiments.

Explanation of Signs

[0183] 10: Upper device 1010: Line monitoring unit 1020: Inter-line resistance variable circuit 1022: Switch circuit 1024, 1026, 1028: Bypass resistors 14(14-1 to 14-3), 72(72-1 to 72-3), 74(74-1 to 74-3), 76(76-1 to 76-3), 77(77-1 to 77-3): Normally open push switch 1410, 1420, 7210, 7220, 7410, 7420, 7610, 7620, 7710, 7720: Switch terminals 1410, 1420: Switch terminals 16(16-1 to 16-3), 82(82-1 to 82-3), 86(86-1 to 86-3): Bypass resistors 18(18-1 to 18-3), 90(90-1 to 90-3): Terminal blocks 1810~1840, 9000~9090: Connection terminals 20, 2010, 2020, 9210~9260: Signal wirings 30, 9400, 9490: Internal wirings 3010, 9410, 9450: First internal wiring 3020, 9420, 9460: Second internal wiring 3030, 9430, 9470: Third internal wiring 3040, 9440, 9480: Fourth internal wiring 40: Disaster prevention receiving panel 4010: Line monitoring unit 50(50-1 to 50-3): Fire hydrant device 5110, 5120: Housings 5210, 5220: Decorative frames 54: Fire hydrant door 55: Maintenance door 56: Fire extinguisher door 58: Electrical equipment door 60: Red indicating lamp 62: Transmitter 64: Response lamp 66: Pump starting device 67: Pump start interlocking device 6810, 6820: Terminal box

Claims

1. An emergency notification system having a host device and a predetermined number of notification devices, a line monitoring unit for monitoring a state of a signal line formed so as to return from the higher-level device to the higher-level device via a switch terminal of an operation switch provided in the reporting device, The line monitoring unit As the predetermined first determination, monitoring is performed according to a predetermined first monitoring condition, and when the predetermined first determination condition is satisfied, it is determined that there is a possibility of a disconnection; When it is determined in a predetermined first determination that there is a possibility of the disconnection, the monitoring condition is changed from the first monitoring condition to a predetermined second monitoring condition; The emergency notification system is characterized in that, as a predetermined second judgment, monitoring is performed based on the second monitoring condition, and when the predetermined second judgment condition is satisfied, it is judged that a disconnection has occurred.

2. 2. The emergency notification system according to claim 1, The first determination by the line monitoring unit is a predetermined monitor voltage is set as the first monitor condition to monitor a line current flowing through a signal line; An emergency notification system characterized in that, when the monitored line current falls outside a predetermined current range based on the normal line current, it is determined that a first judgment condition is met, indicating the possibility of a disconnection.

3. 3. The emergency notification system according to claim 2, The second determination by the line monitoring unit is a plurality of monitor voltages having different voltage values ​​are set as the second monitor condition, and a line current flowing through the signal line is monitored by changing the voltage to each of the set monitor voltages; The emergency notification system is characterized in that a calibration curve showing the relationship between the monitoring voltage and the line current at the time of the disconnection is set as the second judgment condition, and the line current monitored by a plurality of monitoring voltages is compared with the calibration curve.

4. 4. The emergency notification system according to claim 3, the comparison of the line current monitored by the plurality of monitor voltages with the calibration curve in the second determination is performed by generating a regression line based on the line current monitored by the plurality of monitor voltages and a set monitor voltage, and comparing a slope of the regression line with a slope of the calibration curve; An emergency notification system characterized in that, when the slope of the regression line is within a predetermined range of slope based on the slope of the calibration curve, it is determined that a second determination condition is met and that a disconnection has occurred.

5. 4. The emergency notification system according to claim 3, the comparison of the line current monitored by the plurality of monitor voltages with the calibration curve in the second determination is performed based on a correlation between the line current monitored by the plurality of monitor voltages and a line current corresponding to a monitor voltage set as the second monitor condition in the calibration curve; An emergency notification system characterized in that, when a correlation between the monitored line current and the line current in the calibration curve is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that a second determination condition is satisfied and that a line break has occurred.

6. The emergency notification system according to claim 2, further comprising: the line monitoring unit includes a line resistance variable circuit that changes a line resistance of the signal line, The second determination by the line monitoring unit is as the second monitoring condition, adjusting the line resistance of the signal line by the line resistance variable circuit so that the line resistance at the time of disconnection changes to the line resistance at the normal time, and setting a predetermined monitoring voltage to monitor the line current flowing through the signal line; An emergency notification system characterized in that, when the monitored line current is within a predetermined current range based on the line current under normal conditions, it is determined that a break in the line has occurred as the second determination condition is satisfied.

7. 2. The emergency notification system according to claim 1, The emergency notification system according to claim 1, wherein the line monitoring unit updates the first judgment condition and the second judgment condition based on a line current under normal conditions that is monitored at a predetermined timing.

8. 2. The emergency notification system according to claim 1, The emergency notification system according to the present invention, wherein the line monitoring unit classifies the second judgment condition into a plurality of stages, and judges the degree of probability of line breakage.

9. The emergency notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The present invention is applied to an emergency equipment in which a reporting device disposed in a fire hydrant device or a manual reporting device is connected to the disaster prevention receiving panel functioning as the upper device, An emergency notification system, characterized in that the notification device arranged in the fire hydrant device or the manual notification device includes a transmitter, a pump start-up device, and a pump start-up interlocking device.

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