Communication adapter for sensor, sensor unit, and sensing signal communication system

Abstract

To realize a two-stage communication in which, when an abnormality is detected, the abnormality is notified immediately and a degree of the abnormality is notified later.SOLUTION: A communication adapter 300A comprises: a generation unit 381 that generates a drive voltage for a measuring instrument 200A of a connection target based on a reference voltage; a voltage output unit 382 that outputs the drive voltage generated by the generation unit 381 to the measuring instrument 200A; a first signal input unit 383 that inputs a signal indicating that a sensing target has been sensed by a gas sensor 100A connected to the measuring instrument 200A; a second signal input unit 384 that receives a signal indicative of a sensing target amount sensed by the gas sensor 100A as an input; and a transmission unit 384 that transmits the sensing signal input by each of the signal input units 382 and 383 to an administrator terminal 500.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication adapter for sensors, a sensor unit, and a sensing signal communication system, and particularly to a communication adapter for sensors, a sensor unit, and a sensing signal communication system related to a fire occurrence signal, a gas leakage signal, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an alarm system that can notify external devices such as mobile phones of fires and security information in a house by e-mail while having a simple configuration. This alarm system includes an alarm device and an alarm e-mail transmission device, which will be described below.

[0003] That is, the alarm device is configured to be able to access the in-house network, monitors the state of the house, and when an abnormality is detected, generates an alarm sound and transmits an abnormality signal of the abnormality detection via the in-house network. The alarm device is connected to the alarm e-mail transmission device by PoE (Power over Ethernet) and supplied with power.

[0004] In addition, the alarm e-mail transmission device is configured to be able to access the in-house network, and when it receives an abnormality signal of abnormality detection from the alarm device, it is a master device that collectively transmits an alarm e-mail for emergency contact to the e-mail addresses of a plurality of registered destinations in advance. The alarm e-mail transmission device can be registered in advance in association with the alarm device and the location where the alarm device is installed, and the content of the alarm e-mail includes abnormality detection location information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the alarm system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an issue of suppressing costs by adopting a simple configuration ((paragraph (0010))). For this reason, when an abnormality such as a gas leak is detected, it only sends an alarm email notifying only that fact.

[0007] By the way, for example, in the case of a gas leak, the fact is that the measures to be taken are not necessarily the same depending on the degree of abnormality such as the amount of the leak. For example, when a gas leak of so-called city gas or propane gas occurs indoors, if the amount of the leak is small, closing the main valve can prevent the spread of damage, and in some cases, opening the window may be sufficient as a measure. On the other hand, if the amount of the leak is large, immediate evacuation should be prioritized over closing the main valve. Therefore, it is preferable to be able to take measures according to the degree of abnormality.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize two-stage transmission of immediately notifying the fact when an abnormality is detected and then notifying the degree of the abnormality.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the communication adapter for a sensor of the present invention includes a generation unit that generates a drive voltage for a measuring instrument to be connected based on a reference voltage, a voltage output unit that outputs the drive voltage generated by the generation unit to the measuring instrument, a first signal input unit that inputs a signal indicating that a sensor connected to the measuring instrument has sensed a sensing target, a second signal input unit that inputs a signal indicating a sensed target amount sensed by the sensor, a transmission unit that transmits the sensing signals input by the respective signal input units to an information processing device, and is provided with.

[0010] The reference voltage may be a voltage derived from a commercial power supply or a PoE power supply.

[0011] Furthermore, an instruction output unit that outputs an instruction to the sensor may also be provided.

[0012] Also, the sensor unit of the present invention the above communication adapter for the sensor, the sensor, and includes.

[0013] Furthermore, the sensing signal communication system of the present invention the above communication adapter for the sensor, the information processing device, and includes. Embodiments of the invention

[0014] Hereinafter, a sensing signal communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a communication adapter for a sensor related to a gas leakage signal using a gas sensor, will be described with reference to the drawings as an example. However, the application of the sensing signal communication system of the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, it can also be related to a fire occurrence signal using a thermosensor.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a sensing signal communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows gas sensors 100A, 100B, measuring instruments 200A, 200B, communication adapters 300A, 300B, a switching hub 400, an administrator's terminal 500, sensor harnesses 600A, 600B, dedicated lines 700A, 700B, LAN cables 800A, 800B, 900, and a power plug 1000, which will be described below.

[0016] The gas sensors 100A, 100B are constantly driven by power supply through the sensor harnesses 600A, 600B from the measuring instruments 200A, 200B, and constantly sense the presence or absence of gas leakage of a gas to be sensed, such as oxygen gas, carbon monoxide gas, methane gas, propane gas, and freon gas.

[0017] The gas sensors 100A and 100B output low-level sensing signals to the measuring instruments 200A and 200B when no gas leakage is detected, depending on the type of gas, and output sensing signals at levels corresponding to the leakage amount when gas leakage is detected. (In the case of the gases listed above, only for oxygen gas, the high / low levels of the sensing signal are reversed.)

[0018] Note that it is convenient to use gas sensors 100A and 100B of a type with no directionality restrictions during installation. Also, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the gas sensors 100A and 100B and the measuring instruments 200A and 200B are separate and connected to each other by sensor harnesses 600A and 600B, but the gas sensors 100A and 100B can also be built into the measuring instruments 200A and 200B and integrated.

[0019] When the sensing signals output from the gas sensors 100A and 100B switch from, for example, low level to high level, the measuring instruments 200A and 200B immediately output a signal indicating that gas leakage has occurred to the communication adapters 300A and 300B in a push manner.

[0020] Also, when the sensing signals output from the gas sensors 100A and 100B switch from, for example, low level to high level, the measuring instruments 200A and 200B output a signal indicating the gas leakage amount corresponding to the level to the communication adapters 300A and 300B in a push / pull manner subsequently.

[0021] In this way, by preparing two types of signals related to gas leakage, it becomes possible to achieve two-stage transmission, such as quickly transmitting to the administrator terminal 500 above the measuring instruments 200A and 200B that gas leakage has occurred, and subsequently transmitting the specific gas leakage amount.

[0022] When the communication adapters 300A and 300B receive any of the above signals regarding gas leakage output from the measuring instruments 200A and 200B, they add information indicating that the source is the communication adapters 300A and 300B and output it to the administrator's terminal 500.

[0023] Also, when the communication adapters 300A and 300B receive, for example, a command signal output from the administrator's terminal 500, they output commands based on the signal to the measuring instruments 200A and 200B.

[0024] Here, the "commands" include an initial command to reset the reference value to be set (adjusted) to zero for the sensing reference value in a state where no gas leakage has occurred, and a command to output the leakage amount in a state where gas leakage has occurred in order to obtain the gas leakage amount. However, these are examples of command targets, and they are not necessarily the targets. Some of the measuring instruments 200A and 200B may have a reset switch provided on the main body, and reset may be executed by pressing the switch.

[0025] The switching hub 400 interconnects both the unit of the gas sensor 100A, the measuring instrument 200A, and the communication adapter 300A and the unit of the gas sensor 100B, the measuring instrument 200B, and the communication adapter 300B, and the administrator's terminal 500.

[0026] Note that FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the number of units is 2, but the number of units may be more or less than this. However, when the number of units is 1, the communication adapter and the administrator's terminal 500 can be directly connected without using the switching hub 400. However, in that case, it is essential for the communication adapter to directly use commercial power as the power source.

[0027] The administrator's terminal 500 receives commands for sensors input by the administrator, for example, and outputs command signals to the communication adapters 300A and 300B via the switching hub 400.

[0028] Also, the administrator's terminal 500 inputs signals related to gas leakage output from the gas sensors 100A and 100B via the switching hub 400, and presents them to the administrator through an attached display or speaker.

[0029] The sensor harnesses 600A and 600B connect the gas sensors 100A and 100B and the measuring instruments 200A and 200B to each other. Therefore, the sensor harnesses 600A and 600B function as transmission paths for the signals and command signals related to the aforementioned gas leakage, and also function as supply paths for the drive voltages of the gas sensors 100A and 100B.

[0030] The dedicated lines 700A and 700B connect the measuring instruments 200A and 200B and the communication adapters 300A and 300B to each other, respectively. Therefore, the dedicated lines 700A and 700B also function as transmission paths for the signals and command signals related to the aforementioned gas leakage, and also function as supply paths for the drive voltages of the measuring instruments 200A and 200B. As the dedicated lines 700A and 700B, so-called Ethernet cables can be used.

[0031] The LAN cables 800A and 800B connect the communication adapters 300A and 300B and the switching hub 400 to each other, respectively. Therefore, the LAN cables 800A and 800B also function as transmission paths for the signals and command signals related to the aforementioned gas leakage, and also function as supply paths for the drive voltages of the communication adapters 300A and 300B.

[0032] The LAN cable 900 connects the switching hub 400 and the administrator's terminal 500 to each other. Therefore, the LAN cable 900 functions as a transmission path for the signals and command signals related to the aforementioned gas leakage. Note that the power supply of the administrator's terminal 500 may be ensured by connecting the power plug (not shown) that it normally has to an outlet.

[0033] The power plug 1000 is a plug for ensuring the power supply of the switching hub 400. In this embodiment, the communication adapters 300A and 300B receive PoE power supply from the switching hub 400. When performing PoE power supply / reception, standards such as PoE standard, PoE+ standard, and PoE++ can be adopted. Considering the voltage supply amount of general-purpose measuring instruments, the PoE+ standard is preferable.

[0034] Also, in this embodiment, the communication adapters 300A and 300B are provided with AC adapter jacks, and by connecting an AC adapter (not shown) thereto, they may be directly driven using commercial power without passing through the switching hub 400.

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic external view of the communication adapter 300A shown in Figure 1. Figure 2(a) shows a front view, Figure 2(b) shows a bottom view, Figure 2(c) shows a right side view, Figure 2(d) shows a left side view, and Figure 2(e) shows a rear view. Note that Figure 2 does not show a plan view that is symmetrical to the bottom view.

[0036] First, as shown in Figures 2(b) to 2(d), the communication adapter 300A externally includes a first housing 310 and a second housing 320.

[0037] The first housing 310 includes, as shown in Figures 2(a), 2(c), and 2(d), for example, three LEDs 330A to 330C, for example, four terminal blocks 340A to 340D, a LAN connector 350, and a part of the AC adapter jack 360.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2(c) and 2(e), the second housing 320 includes a part of the AC adapter jack 360 and wall mounting screw holes 370 that can be used together with screws (not shown). Note that the wall mounting screw holes 370 are not used when the communication adapter 300A is used without being mounted on a wall.

[0039] In this embodiment, for example, the LED 330A lights up when the communication state with the switching hub 400 is normal, the LED 330B lights up when the PoE power supply from the switching hub 400 is normal under the PoE+ standard, and the LED 330C lights up when the power supply of the communication adapter 300A itself is normal. When it is not normal, it is set to light on or off.

[0040] Note that in this example, although PoE power supply is being supplied to the measuring instrument 200A normally, for example, when PoE power supply is provided under the PoE standard, the LED 330B is off, but the LED 330C is on, which is the display mode.

[0041] Incidentally, although not limited to these modes, for example, the LED 330A can be a red indicator light, and the LED 330B and LED 330C can be green indicator lights. By color-coding between the communication system and the power supply system, it is easier to visually recognize the occurrence of normal / abnormal for each type.

[0042] Also, in this embodiment, although not limited to these, for example, the terminal blocks 340A to 340D can have the following roles.

[0043] The terminal block 340D is used to output a driving voltage to the measuring instrument 200A. The terminal block 340D can be an output terminal block that is always connected to the input terminal block of the measuring instrument 200A regardless of the type of the measuring instrument 200A.

[0044] The terminal block 340B is used to quickly transmit the occurrence of gas leakage. The terminal block 340B can be a contact input terminal block that is always connected to the contact output terminal block of the measuring instrument 200A regardless of the type of the measuring instrument 200A.

[0045] Terminal block 340A is used to track and transmit the specific gas leakage amount after the occurrence of gas leakage. Terminal block 340A can be, for example, an input terminal block for a current signal of 4 mA to 20 mA, and can only be used when the type of the measuring instrument 200A is a push type that outputs the current signal.

[0046] Terminal block 340C is used to output a command signal to the measuring instrument 200A and input a signal indicating the leakage amount from the measuring instrument 200A. Terminal block 340C can be an input / output terminal block compatible with RS-232C, and can only be used when the type of the measuring instrument 200A is a pull type that outputs a signal indicating the leakage amount.

[0047] LAN connector 350 is a connector to which one end of the LAN cable 800A is connected. Note that the other end of the LAN cable 800A is connected to the switching hub 400 as shown in FIG. 1. LAN connector 350 is provided on the right side surface of the communication adapter 300A, but it may be provided, for example, on the left side surface or the bottom surface. This also applies to the terminal blocks 340A to 340D and the AC adapter jack 360.

[0048] AC adapter jack 360 is a socket into which an AC adapter (not shown) is connected. However, it should be noted that when the communication adapter 300A is driven only by PoE power supply from the switching hub 400, an AC adapter is not used, so it is not essential to provide the AC adapter jack 360.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the communication adapter 300A shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows a generation unit 381, a voltage output unit 382, a first signal input unit 383, a second signal input unit 384, a transmission unit 385, and a command output unit 386, which will be described below.

[0050] The generation unit 381 generates the drive voltage of the measuring instrument 200A based on the reference voltage that is PoE-powered through the LAN connector 350 shown in FIG. 2(c).

[0051] The "reference voltage" mentioned here refers to the voltage derived from the PoE supply from the switching hub 400, or the voltage when the communication adapter 300A directly uses the commercial power supply by the AC adapter connected to the AC adapter jack 360.

[0052] Also, the "drive voltage" mentioned here typically refers to voltages such as 5V, 15V, 24V, etc., which are commonly used values in general-purpose measuring instruments 200A. In this embodiment, the user who has confirmed the voltage value used in the measuring instrument 200A can select that voltage value.

[0053] The voltage output unit 382 outputs the drive voltage of the measuring instrument 200A generated by the generation unit 381 to the measuring instrument 200A through the terminal block 340D shown in FIG. 2(d). Thereby, it becomes possible to drive the measuring instrument 200A.

[0054] The first signal input unit 383 inputs, through the terminal block 340B shown in FIG. 2(d), a signal indicating that gas leakage has occurred, which is immediately output in a push type from the measuring instrument 200A when the sensing signal output from the gas sensor 100A switches from, for example, a low level to a high level.

[0055] The second signal input unit 384 inputs, through the terminal block 340A or the terminal block 340C shown in FIG. 2(d), a signal indicating the gas leakage amount, which is output subsequently in a push / pull type from the measuring instrument 200A when the sensing signal output from the gas sensor 100A switches from, for example, a low level to a high level.

[0056] The transmission unit 385 outputs the sensing signals input by the first signal input unit 383 and the second signal input unit 384 to the administrator terminal 500 through the LAN connector 350 shown in Fig. 2(c).

[0057] The command output unit 386 issues a predetermined command to the gas sensor 100A through the terminal block 340C shown in Fig. 2(d) according to the command signal from the administrator terminal 500 input through the LAN connector 350 shown in Fig. 2(c).

[0058] As described above, the outer shape of the communication adapter 300A has been described with reference to Fig. 2, and the functions of the communication adapter 300A have been described with reference to Fig. 3. However, the communication adapter 300B with a similar outer shape and functions can also be used.

[0059] Next, the operation of the sensing signal communication system shown in Fig. 1 will be described. Here, it is assumed that the measuring instrument 200A is of a type that outputs a signal indicating the amount of gas leakage in a push type, the reference value has already been reset, and the gas to be sensed is other than oxygen gas.

[0060] First, regardless of whether gas leakage has occurred, the switching hub 400 is driven by a commercial power supply supplied through the power plug 1000, the communication adapters 300A and 300B are driven by PoE power supply of the switching hub 400, the measuring instruments 200A and 200B are driven by the driving voltages generated by the communication adapters 300A and 300B, and the gas sensors 100A and 100B are driven by the power supply from the measuring instruments 200A and 200B.

[0061] Therefore, when no gas leakage has occurred, the gas sensors 100A and 100B output, for example, low-level sensing signals to the measuring instruments 200A and 200B through the sensor harnesses 600A and 600B, and the measuring instruments 200A and 200B do not output a signal indicating that gas leakage has occurred to the communication adapters 300A and 300B through the dedicated lines 700A and 700B.

[0062] After that, suppose that for some reason, a gas leak occurs in the installation area of the gas sensor 100A, for example. In that case, the level of the sensing signal from the gas sensor 100A switches from a low level to a high level, for example. As a result, the measuring instrument 200A immediately outputs a signal indicating the occurrence of a gas leak to the communication adapter 300A in a push manner through the dedicated line 700A as a contact output.

[0063] In the communication adapter 300A, when the first signal input unit 383 inputs a signal indicating the occurrence of a gas leak output from the measuring instrument 200A as a contact input through the terminal block 340B, the transmitting unit 385 outputs a signal indicating the occurrence of a gas leak to the administrator's terminal 500 through the LAN connector 350, the LAN cable 800A, the switching hub 400, and the LAN cable 900.

[0064] As a result, the administrator's terminal 500 can notify the administrator of the occurrence of a gas leak by displaying it on the display and / or outputting it from the speaker.

[0065] Also, since the level of the sensing signal from the gas sensor 100A indicates the amount of gas leak, the measuring instrument 200A that inputs this outputs a current signal at a level indicating the amount of leak to the communication adapter 300A.

[0066] In the communication adapter 300A, when the second signal input unit 384 inputs a signal indicating the amount of gas leak output from the measuring instrument 200A through the terminal block 340A, the transmitting unit 385 outputs a signal indicating the amount of gas leak to the administrator's terminal 500 through the LAN connector 350, the LAN cable 800A, etc.

[0067] As a result, the administrator's terminal 500 can notify the administrator of the amount of gas leak by displaying it on the display and / or outputting it from the speaker.

[0068] Therefore, by using the sensing signal communication system of the present embodiment, when a gas leak occurs, the administrator can immediately grasp the situation and then, so to speak, grasp the amount of gas leakage, enabling appropriate responses according to the assumed degree of damage.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0069]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0070] 100A, 100B Gas sensors 200A, 200B Measuring instruments 300A, 300B Communication adapters 310 First housing 320 Second housing 330A~LED330C LEDs 340A~340D Terminal blocks 350 LAN connector 360 AC adapter jack 370 Wall mounting screw holes 381 Generation unit 382 Voltage output unit 383 First signal input unit 384 Second signal input unit 385 Transmission unit 386 Command output unit 400 Switching hub 500 Administrator's terminal 600A, 600B Sensor harnesses 700A, 700B Dedicated lines 800A, 800B, 900 LAN cables 1000 Power plug

Claims

1. A generation unit that generates a drive voltage for a measuring instrument to be connected based on a reference voltage; A voltage output unit that outputs the drive voltage generated by the generation unit to the measuring instrument; A first signal input unit that inputs a signal indicating that a sensor connected to the measuring instrument has sensed a sensing target; A second signal input unit that inputs a signal indicating a sensed target quantity sensed by the sensor; A transmission unit that transmits the sensing signals input by the respective signal input units to an information processing device; A communication adapter for a sensor, comprising the above.

2. The reference voltage is a voltage derived from a commercial power supply or a PoE power supply. The communication adapter for a sensor according to Claim 1. The communication adapter for a sensor according to Claim 1.

3. Furthermore, it comprises a command output unit that outputs a command to the sensor. The communication adapter for a sensor according to Claim 1. The communication adapter for a sensor according to Claim 1.

4. A communication adapter for a sensor according to Claim 1; The sensor; A sensor unit comprising the above.

5. A communication adapter for a sensor according to Claim 1; The information processing device; A sensing signal communication system comprising the above.

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