Fire sensor and fire notification system

Abstract

To provide a fire sensor capable of reducing a work load related to an appearance check.SOLUTION: A fire sensor includes: an impact measurement section provided inside the fire sensor so as to measure impact energy to be applied from the outside; and an outer shape damage estimation section for estimating a risk of occurrence of an outer shape abnormality in a main body so as to generate an outer shape damage signal when the impact energy exceeds a predetermined value. The outer shape damage is estimated based on a quantitative measurement result of the impact energy to be applied from the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fire detector and a fire alarm system having a function of outputting an estimated result of appearance inspection while being installed in a fire monitoring area.

Background Art

[0002] In a fire alarm system, various types of fire detectors are used to detect a fire. Examples of the fire detector include a smoke detector, a flame detector, and a heat detector.

[0003] The fire detector requires regular inspection. The inspection work is roughly classified into an operation inspection for checking whether it operates correctly and an appearance inspection for checking, in terms of appearance, that "there is no deformation, damage, detachment, significant dirt or corrosion, etc.".

[0004] Regarding the former operation inspection, products with an automatic test function that can omit the operation test by smoke addition or heating during inspection have been put into practical use. Furthermore, regarding the former operation inspection, there is also a fire detector that has a function of transmitting the result of the operation test to a higher-level device and enabling the history management of the operation test, thereby preventing the omission of signs of failure (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In order to conduct inspection work in a building where an existing fire detector or fire alarm system is in actual operation, an inspection process must be adopted in accordance with the usage status of the building. As a result, in reality, inspection work tends to concentrate on holidays and at night when the building is in less use. With the progress of the declining birthrate and aging population, ensuring sufficient personnel has become an issue in order to carry out inspection work in response to such a situation.

[0007] Among the inspection work, which is roughly classified into operation inspection and appearance inspection, regarding the operation inspection, as described above, products with an automatic test function have been put into practical use, and it is possible to achieve labor savings in the inspection work. However, regarding the appearance inspection, it is necessary to carry it out once every six months. In reality, the fact is that inspectors are visually inspecting all fire detectors.

[0008] Even if the appearance inspection cannot be fully automated, if it is possible to estimate an abnormality regarding at least one of the items of "no deformation, damage, detachment, significant dirt or corrosion, etc.", it is expected to reduce the workload related to the appearance inspection.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain a fire detector and a fire alarm system having a function of reducing the workload related to the appearance inspection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The fire detector according to the present disclosure includes an impact measurement unit capable of measuring impact energy applied from the outside to the detector body, and an outer shape damage estimation unit that estimates that there is a possibility that an outer shape abnormality has occurred in the body when the impact energy exceeds a predetermined value and generates an outer shape damage signal.

[0011] In addition, the fire alarm system according to the present disclosure includes a shock measurement unit that detects that shock energy exceeding an allowable shock threshold has been externally applied to the sensor body, and when the shock measurement unit determines that shock energy exceeding the allowable shock threshold has been applied, it estimates that there may be an abnormal external shape of the sensor body and generates an external shape damage signal, and outputs external shape damage estimation information in which the generated external shape damage signal is associated with a sensor ID, which is unique identification information assigned in advance. The fire detector includes a fire detector, and when receiving the external shape damage estimation information output from the fire detector, the upper device notifies the external shape damage estimation information to a transmission destination registered in advance as a transmission destination.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain a fire detector and a fire alarm system having a function of reducing the workload related to visual inspection.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the fire detector and the fire alarm system of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The fire detector and the fire alarm system according to the present disclosure are provided with an impact measurement unit capable of measuring impact energy applied from the outside to the detector main body, and when the impact energy exceeds a predetermined value, it is estimated that there may be an abnormal outer shape in the main body, and a technical feature is to generate an outer shape damage signal.

[0015] Embodiment 1. First, an overall view of the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 including a fire detector will be described. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The fire alarm system shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes a fire receiver 10 and a plurality of fire detectors 31, 32, 41 to 44.

[0016] The fire receiver 10 is connected to an addressable transmitter 20, fire detectors 31, 32, a detector relay 40, and a smoke and exhaust control relay 50 via a signal line SG.

[0017] A plurality of fire detectors are connected to the detector relay 40. In FIG. 1, four fire detectors 41 to 44 are illustrated as an example. Further, a fire door 51, a smoke exhaust fan 52, a shutter 53, and a curtain wall 54 are connected to the smoke and exhaust control relay 50.

[0018] Here, the fire detectors 31, 32, and the fire detectors 41 to 44 monitor the occurrence of a fire in their respective preset fire monitoring areas, and when a fire is detected, they output a fire signal via the signal line SG. A detector group is constituted by a plurality of fire detectors.

[0019] In addition, the fire door 51, the smoke exhaust fan 52, the shutter 53, and the curtain wall 54 operate in conjunction with the respective detection results of the plurality of fire detectors, and correspond to a plurality of terminal devices that function to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, etc. A terminal device group is constituted by a plurality of terminal devices.

[0020] Each of the plurality of fire detectors has address information pre-assigned as a detector ID for identifying an individual fire detector. Then, each of the plurality of fire detectors can transmit fire-related information including the address information assigned to itself and a fire signal detected as a monitoring result to the fire receiver 10 via the signal line SG.

[0021] On the other hand, the fire receiver 10 can transmit necessary information to a desired fire detector by adding address information via the signal line SG and performing information transmission.

[0022] Also, address information for identifying each of the plurality of terminal devices is pre-assigned to each of the plurality of terminal devices. Therefore, the fire receiver 10 can transmit a command to operate a desired terminal device by adding address information via the signal line SG and performing information transmission.

[0023] With such a configuration, the fire receiver 10 collects fire-related information from a plurality of fire detectors installed in various pre-determined fire monitoring areas and the addressable transmitter 20 via the signal line SG. Then, the fire receiver 10 can identify the source of the fire signal based on the collected fire-related information, issue a fire alarm, and operate the terminal device group.

[0024] Note that it is pre-specified for each terminal device included in the terminal device group which fire detector's detection result it operates in conjunction with. For example, by pre-setting the correspondence relationship of the interlocking operation between the plurality of fire detectors and the plurality of terminal devices as an interlocking table, the fire receiver 10 can identify an appropriate terminal device from the interlocking table based on the detection result of each of the plurality of fire detectors and cause an interlocking operation.

[0025] Although not shown in FIG. 1, the fire receiver 10 can output a transfer signal based on the collected fire-related information, activate fire extinguishing equipment or an emergency broadcast device, or transmit fire-related information to a higher-level device via a network.

[0026] The fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 can construct an appropriate system according to the use and scale of the fire protection target. In addition, each fire detector is fixedly installed in a predetermined section within the fire monitoring area and is used in combination with other disaster prevention equipment.

[0027] In Embodiment 1, the fire detector has a configuration capable of quantitatively measuring the impact energy applied from the outside to the detector body. When impact energy exceeding the allowable impact threshold is applied, the main purpose is to give the fire detector a function of generating external damage estimation information associated with the detector ID and outputting the external damage estimation information to a higher-level device such as a fire receiver.

[0028] Therefore, the configurations of the fire detector and the fire receiver for realizing such a main purpose will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a fire detector and a fire receiver constituting the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The fire alarm system in Embodiment 1 mainly includes a fire detector 100 and a fire receiver 200.

[0030] Note that the fire detector 100 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to each fire detector included in the detector group in FIG. 1 above. Usually, it is composed of a plurality of units, but for simplicity of explanation, FIG. 2 exemplifies one fire detector 100.

[0031] In addition, the fire receiver 200 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the fire receiver 10 in FIG. 1 above and is provided as a higher-level device of the detector group.

[0032] The fire detector 100 is assigned a detector ID which is unique identification information. When a fire is detected, it has a conventional function of notifying the location of the fire occurrence in the fire monitoring area by outputting a fire signal including the detector ID to a higher-level device via a pair of signal lines SG.

[0033] In addition, in FIG. 2, the illustration of the conventional function of outputting a fire signal is omitted, and only the functions which are the technical features newly provided by the fire detector 100 according to the first embodiment are illustrated. Similarly, the fire receiver 200 in FIG. 2 only illustrates the functions corresponding to the functions which are the technical features newly provided by the fire detector 100.

[0034] The fire detector 100 is newly configured with a shock measurement unit 101 and an external damage estimation unit 102. The shock measurement unit 101 is built into the main body of the fire detector 100 installed in the fire monitoring area and corresponds to a sensor capable of quantitatively measuring the shock energy applied to the main body from the outside. Specific examples of the shock measurement unit 101 include an acceleration sensor, a shock sensor, and the like.

[0035] The inspection criteria for the external inspection of the fire detector 100 are "no deformation, damage, detachment, significant dirt or corrosion, etc.". Among these inspection criteria, "deformation, damage, detachment" are considered to be caused by external shocks. Therefore, based on the measurement result of the shock energy using the shock measurement unit 101, it is possible to estimate whether or not an abnormal state related to "deformation, damage, detachment" has occurred.

[0036] Specifically, in advance, by conducting a striking test or the like, data regarding the shock energy measured by the shock measurement unit 101 corresponding to the level at which the detector is deformed, damaged, or detached is collected. Further, based on the collection result, an allowable shock threshold value for identifying whether or not it reaches "deformation, damage, detachment" from the perspective of the inspection criteria is obtained and stored in the external damage estimation unit 102.

[0037] Note that the allowable impact threshold can be set at the time of factory shipment of the product, but it can also be modified according to the installation environment of the fire monitoring area as needed.

[0038] During actual operation when actually conducting fire monitoring, the external damage estimation unit 102 can obtain the impact energy measured by the impact measurement unit 101 at a preset sampling period as an example. The external damage estimation unit 102 determines whether the obtained impact energy exceeds the allowable impact threshold preset according to the installation environment of the fire monitoring area for each sampling period.

[0039] When the external damage estimation unit 102 determines that the impact energy exceeds the allowable impact threshold, it estimates that there may be an external abnormality related to "deformation, damage, detachment" in the main body of the fire detector 100 and generates an external damage signal.

[0040] That is, during actual operation, the external damage estimation unit 102 can monitor the impact energy and compare it with the allowable impact threshold, so as to predict the level of external abnormality belonging to the visual inspection at the desired timing without the need for visual confirmation by the inspector.

[0041] Furthermore, the external damage estimation unit 102 can output the external damage estimation information associating the generated external damage signal with the detector ID to the upper device. The fire receiver 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the fire receiver 200 shown in FIG. 2 correspond to the upper device. In the following description, the configuration of the fire receiver 200 shown in FIG. 2 is used to explain the functions of the above device.

[0042] The fire receiver 200 corresponding to the upper device includes a reporting processing unit 201 and a destination storage unit 202.

[0043] Upon receiving the outer shape damage estimation information output from the fire detector 100, the alarm reporting processing unit 201 can determine from the detector ID included in the outer shape damage estimation information which fire detector 100 is estimated to have a potential outer shape abnormality, and can, if necessary, report this outer shape damage estimation information externally.

[0044] In addition, when the transmission destination for notifying the outer shape damage estimation information is stored in the transmission destination storage unit 202, the alarm reporting processing unit 201 can wirelessly transmit the outer shape damage estimation information to the transmission destination stored in the transmission destination storage unit 202. Examples of pre-registered transmission destinations include inspectors in charge of the corresponding fire monitoring area, administrators of building management companies, facility staff, and qualified personnel.

[0045] Note that when the alarm reporting processing unit 201 determines that there is a possibility of an outer shape abnormality, it may notify information on the fire detector that may have an outer shape abnormality through a display unit or an acoustic unit provided in a fire receiver (not shown).

[0046] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it has a configuration capable of quantitatively measuring the impact energy applied externally to the detector main body, and when it is estimated that the main body has received an outer shape damage based on the quantitative measurement result, it has a function of outputting the outer shape damage estimation information associated with the detector ID to a higher-level device. As a result, a fire detector and a fire alarm system capable of reducing the workload related to visual inspection can be realized.

[0047] In particular, by utilizing the fire detector and the fire alarm system according to the first embodiment, it is possible to quantitatively estimate, based on the measurement result of the impact energy, whether there is a possibility that an outer shape abnormality related to "deformation, damage, detachment" has occurred during actual operation, and to quickly transmit the outer shape damage estimation information to necessary personnel.

[0048] As a result, the inspector or the like who has received the external damage estimation information can promptly conduct an external inspection based on the external damage estimation information at an appropriate timing before the regular inspection, and can perform necessary measures such as cleaning and replacement, thereby preventing in advance a situation where normal fire detection cannot be performed due to an abnormal appearance.

[0049] In the specific example in the above-described Embodiment 1, a configuration has been described in which when the impact energy applied to the fire detector main body exceeds the allowable impact threshold, the fire detector generates external damage estimation information and outputs it to the upper device. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration.

[0050] Regardless of whether the impact energy measured by the impact measurement unit exceeds the allowable impact threshold, the external damage estimation unit in the fire detector always outputs the measured impact energy as impact energy information to the upper device. On the upper device side, the impact energy information can be periodically sampled, time-series data of the impact energy can be created, and the data can be further stored.

[0051] When such a configuration is adopted, the inspector can refer to the time-series data of the impact energy stored on the upper device side, grasp the transition of the impact energy in the installation environment, and then perform an appropriate inspection operation.

[0052] Also, in the specific example in the above-described Embodiment 1, a configuration has been described in which the impact energy applied to the fire detector main body is compared with the allowable impact threshold as a single preset threshold. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration.

[0053] For example, it is conceivable to set the allowable impact threshold as the first threshold, set the second threshold as a value of impact energy smaller than the first threshold, and divide the allowable impact range. When two such thresholds are used, although the impact energy applied from the outside has not reached a value exceeding the first threshold which is the allowable impact threshold, it exceeds the second threshold and is in a state included in the range below the first threshold, so that it is possible to quantitatively monitor that a dangerous state has occurred in which an impact of a magnitude corresponding to the allowable impact threshold has been applied.

[0054] When such a dangerous state can be monitored, the outer shape damage estimation unit 102 can generate outer shape damage estimation information and transmit it to a higher-level device, for example, even when the number of times corresponding to a dangerous state in which impact energy exceeding the second threshold and included in the range below the first threshold is applied exceeds a preset allowable number of times.

[0055] Alternatively, each time a dangerous state in which impact energy exceeding the second threshold and included in the range below the first threshold is applied occurs, the outer shape damage estimation unit 102 can generate dangerous state estimation information and transmit it to a higher-level device, and on the higher-level device side, time-series data can be created and stored each time the dangerous state estimation information is received.

[0056] When such a configuration is adopted, the inspector can further refer to the time-series data of the dangerous state estimation information, grasp the transition of the impact energy in the installation environment, and then perform an appropriate inspection operation. Furthermore, it is also possible to take appropriate measures to prevent outer shape damage.

[0057] Note that the intensity of the fire detector with respect to an impact varies depending on the direction in which the impact is received. Therefore, for the impact energy, for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor may be applied as the impact measurement unit 101, and an allowable impact threshold may be provided for each of the three-axis directions. Thereby, when an impact is applied to the fire detector, the damage to the fire detector 100 can be estimated in detail based on the measurement results regarding the impact energy of each of the three axes.

[0058] Specifically, the impact measurement unit 101 can individually measure the impact energy applied from the outside in a plurality of directions. The external damage estimation unit 102 compares the impact energy measured for each of the plurality of directions with the allowable impact threshold value set in advance for each of the plurality of directions.

[0059] Then, when the impact energy exceeds the allowable impact threshold value in at least one of the plurality of directions, the external damage estimation unit 102 can estimate that there may be an external abnormality in the main body and generate an external damage signal.

[0060] In addition, when the external damage estimation unit 102 estimates external abnormalities in a plurality of directions, it is also possible to add information regarding in which direction the impact energy has exceeded the allowable impact threshold value when generating the external damage signal, and the damage status of the fire detector 100 can be notified in more detail.

[0061] Embodiment 2. In the previous Embodiment 1, the case where the fire receiver 200 is used as the upper device of the fire detector 100 has been described. In contrast, in this Embodiment 2, the case where a cloud server is used as the upper device of the fire detector 100 will be described.

[0062] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the fire alarm system according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. The fire alarm system according to Embodiment 2 has a configuration in which a fire detector 100, a cloud server 300, and N mobile terminals 400(1) to 400(N) are communicably connected via a network 500.

[0063] The fire detector 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure is substantially the same as the fire detector 100 according to the previous Embodiment 1, except that the transmission destination of the external damage estimation information is the cloud server 300 instead of the fire receiver 200.

[0064] In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the fire detector 100 directly transmits the outer shape damage estimation information to the cloud server 300 via the network 500. However, a system may be adopted in which the outer shape damage estimation information is output from the fire detector 100 to the fire receiver 200 as in the previous Embodiment 1, and the fire receiver 200 transmits the outer shape damage estimation information received from the fire detector 100 to the cloud server 300 via the network 500.

[0065] The cloud server 300 corresponding to the upper device of the fire detector 100 has a destination storage unit 301 in which destinations for notifying the outer shape damage estimation information are stored. Here, it is assumed that the addresses of N mobile terminals 400(1) to 400(N) are stored as destinations in the destination storage unit 301.

[0066] The cloud server 300 can wirelessly transmit the outer shape damage estimation information to each of the N mobile terminals 400(1) to 400(N) by referring to the destinations stored in the destination storage unit 301.

[0067] Examples of pre-registered destinations include mobile terminals owned by inspectors in charge of the corresponding fire monitoring area, administrators of building management companies, facility staff, qualified persons, and the like.

[0068] As described above, according to Embodiment 2, even when a cloud server is used as the upper device, the same effects as those of the previous Embodiment 1 can be achieved.

[0069] In addition, by adopting a configuration using a cloud server, for example, it becomes possible to centrally manage in a batch the situation of the impact energy applied to various fire detectors installed in different facilities where each of a plurality of fire receivers is installed.

[0070] Embodiment 3. In the previous Embodiments 1 and 2, among the items of appearance inspection, regarding the check of "deformation, damage, and detachment", a method for reducing the work load was described by quantitatively measuring the impact energy using an impact measurement unit and estimating whether there is a possibility of an abnormal outer shape occurring in the main body. In contrast, in this Embodiment 3, a method for reducing the work load will be described regarding the check of "absence of significant dirt, corrosion, etc." among the items of appearance inspection.

[0071] In this Embodiment 3, it has a configuration capable of acquiring light quantity data used for estimating the secular change regarding the appearance inspection target part of the fire detector, estimates the presence or absence of an appearance abnormality based on the change in the comparative light quantity data acquired during actual operation, and when the occurrence of an appearance abnormality is estimated, generates optical appearance estimation information and outputs the optical appearance estimation information to a higher-level device such as a fire receiver. The main purpose is to give the fire detector such a function.

[0072] Therefore, the configurations of the fire detector and the fire receiver for realizing such a main purpose will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a fire detector and a fire receiver constituting a fire alarm system according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. The fire alarm system in this Embodiment 3 mainly includes a fire detector 100 and a fire receiver 200.

[0074] Note that the fire detector 100 shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to each fire detector included in the detector group in the previous FIG. 1, and usually consists of a plurality of units. However, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, FIG. 4 exemplifies one fire detector 100.

[0075] Also, the fire receiver 200 shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the fire receiver 10 in the previous FIG. 1 and is provided as a higher-level device of the detector group.

[0076] The fire detector 100 is assigned a detector ID which is unique identification information. When a fire is detected, it has a conventional function of notifying the location of the fire occurrence in the fire monitoring area by outputting a fire signal including the detector ID to the upper device via a pair of signal lines SG.

[0077] Note that in FIG. 4, the illustration of the function of outputting the conventionally provided fire signal is omitted, and only the functions which are the technical features newly provided by the fire detector 100 according to Embodiment 3 are illustrated. Similarly, the fire receiver 200 in FIG. 4 only illustrates the functions corresponding to the functions which are the technical features newly provided by the fire detector 100.

[0078] The fire detector 100 is newly configured with an optical means 103 and an appearance abnormality estimation unit 104. The optical means 103 corresponds to means for acquiring light quantity data used for estimating the secular change regarding the appearance inspection target part of the fire detector 100 installed in the fire monitoring area.

[0079] The inspection criteria for the external appearance inspection of the fire detector 100 is "no deformation, damage, detachment, significant dirt or corrosion, etc.". Regarding "no significant dirt or corrosion, etc." among these inspection criteria, it is considered that a secular change has occurred from the initial state where no appearance abnormality has occurred in the appearance inspection target part of the fire detector 100. Therefore, based on the change amount of the light quantity data acquired using the optical means 103, it is possible to estimate whether an abnormal state related to "no significant dirt or corrosion, etc." has occurred.

[0080] Hereinafter, as specific examples of the fire detector 100, a smoke detector and a heat detector will be used to explain a method for estimating the secular change regarding the appearance inspection target part.

[0081] <Regarding the method for estimating the secular change regarding the appearance inspection target part of the smoke detector> The smoke detector is installed, for example, in a place affected by air currents. If dust or the like enters the main body, there is a risk of false detection in which it is mistaken for smoke and judged as a fire. Therefore, in order to prevent such false detection, the smoke detector is provided with an insect screen for preventing the intrusion of dust or the like.

[0082] Dust that is longer than the size of the mesh of the insect screen, such as lint, does not enter the inside of the smoke detector while floating due to the effect of the insect screen. However, after adhering to the insect screen, the tip of the lint easily enters the hole of the insect screen. When the tip enters the hole, the lint easily enters the inside of the smoke detector due to the action of air currents or the like.

[0083] At the visual inspection that is obligatorily carried out every six months, if there is dirt due to dust such as lint, the current situation is that manual cleaning is performed with a cloth, a whisk, a vacuum cleaner, etc. However, smoke detectors are often installed in high places or places where it is difficult to stand, and the current visual inspection has very poor workability.

[0084] Therefore, regarding the smoke detector, it is considered possible to improve workability by optically estimating the state in which dust has adhered to the insect screen as an appearance abnormality by using the optical means 103 and the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 with the insect screen as the appearance inspection target part.

[0085] The optical means 103 suitable for detecting the state in which dust has adhered to the insect screen can be composed of a light emitter that irradiates the insect screen, which is the appearance inspection target part, and a light receiver that captures the reflected light from the insect screen. The insect screen is manufactured from a material that easily reflects light, and the light emitter and the light receiver are arranged at positions where it is easy to capture the reflected light of the insect screen.

[0086] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a configuration example of the fire detector 100 according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. FIG. 5(A) represents a planar view of the fire detector 100 equipped with the optical means 103 as seen from the side, and FIG. 5(B) represents a three-dimensional view of the fire detector 100 equipped with the optical means 103 as seen obliquely.

[0087] In the configuration example shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), both the light emitter 103a and the light receiver 103b that constitute the optical means are attached outside the main body of the fire detector 100. That is, the fire detector 100 shown in FIG. 5 is characterized in that the reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitter 103a attached outside the main body toward the insect screen is acquired as the received light amount by the light receiver 103b attached outside the main body.

[0088] By arranging the optical means having such characteristics at an appropriate position, it is possible to eliminate the need to provide the optical means 103 inside the fire detector 100, and to suppress the adverse effect of the light from the optical means on the smoke detection unit provided inside the fire detector 100.

[0089] For example, according to the installation environment, the light emitter 103a and the light receiver 103b are arranged so as to easily detect the reflected light in the portion corresponding to the direction in which the air flow hits the insect screen 110, so that the portion where the most dust is expected to adhere can be targeted.

[0090] The appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 stores in advance, as reference light amount data, the light amount data acquired via the light receiver 103b which is the optical means 103 in the initial state where no appearance abnormality has occurred, that is, the state where no dust or the like adheres to the insect screen 110. In this way, the reflected light amount of the insect screen 110 in the initial state is stored as the reference light amount data.

[0091] Then, during actual operation, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 stores the light amount data acquired via the light receiver 103b which is the optical means 103 as comparison light amount data. The appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can collect the comparison light amount data at each preset sampling period during actual operation, and can also collect the comparison light amount data at the timing of receiving a command from the fire receiver 200.

[0092] Alternatively, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can also collect the comparison light quantity data at the timing of receiving an external command based on the operation of the inspector. That is, by the fire receiver 200 having a function of receiving an external command for designating the timing for collecting the comparison light quantity data, it becomes possible to collect the comparison light quantity data at a desired timing.

[0093] Based on the change amount of the comparison light quantity data with respect to the reference light quantity data, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 estimates whether there is a possibility that an appearance abnormality has occurred in the appearance inspection target part, that is, whether the state has changed such that dust or the like has adhered to the insect screen 110 and the reflected light quantity has deteriorated.

[0094] Then, when the change amount changes beyond the allowable threshold value and it is determined that the state where the reflected light quantity has deteriorated has occurred, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 estimates that there may be an appearance abnormality and generates an optical appearance abnormality signal.

[0095] Furthermore, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 outputs optical appearance estimation information in which the generated optical appearance abnormality signal is associated with the sensor ID to the upper device. In this way, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can estimate the adhesion state of dust or the like on the insect screen 110 by monitoring the change amount from the reference light quantity data regarding the comparison light quantity data acquired during actual operation.

[0096] Note that even when significant dirt or corrosion occurs on the insect screen 110, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can estimate that an appearance abnormality has occurred due to the reduction of the reflected light quantity.

[0097] <Estimation method for aging change regarding the appearance inspection target part of the heat sensor> The heat sensor detects the amount of heat using a thermistor. However, if dust or the like adheres to the thermistor, the detection accuracy of the amount of heat may deteriorate.

[0098] At the visual inspection that is required to be carried out every six months, if there is adhesion of dust or the like to the thermistor, manual cleaning is currently being performed. However, the thermal sensor is often installed at high places or in places where it is difficult to stand, and the current visual inspection has very poor workability.

[0099] Therefore, regarding the thermal sensor, by using the optical means 103 and the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 with the thermistor as the appearance inspection target part, and optically estimating the state where dust or the like adheres to the thermistor as if an appearance abnormality has occurred, it is considered possible to improve workability.

[0100] The optical means 103 suitable for detecting the state where dust or the like adheres to the thermistor can be configured to arrange a light emitter and a light receiver to face each other with the thermistor, which is the appearance inspection target part, in between, and acquire the transmitted light amount as light amount data.

[0101] The appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 stores in advance, as reference light amount data, the light amount data acquired via the light receiver, which is the optical means 103, in the initial state where no appearance abnormality has occurred, that is, the state where no dust or the like adheres to the thermistor. In this way, the transmitted light amount in the initial state is stored as reference light amount data.

[0102] Then, during actual operation, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 stores the light amount data acquired by the optical means 103 as comparison light amount data. The appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can collect the comparison light amount data at every preset sampling period during actual operation, and can also collect the comparison light amount data at the timing of receiving a command from the fire receiver 200.

[0103] Alternatively, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can also collect the comparison light quantity data at the timing of receiving an external command based on the operation of the inspector. That is, by having the fire receiver 200 have a function of receiving an external command for specifying the timing for collecting the comparison light quantity data, it becomes possible to collect the comparison light quantity data at a desired timing.

[0104] The appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 estimates whether there is a possibility that an appearance abnormality has occurred in the appearance inspection target unit based on the amount of change in the comparison light quantity data with respect to the reference light quantity data, that is, whether the state has become such that dust or the like has adhered to the thermistor and the transmitted light quantity has deteriorated.

[0105] Then, when the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 determines that the amount of change has changed beyond the allowable threshold value and the state where the transmitted light quantity has deteriorated has occurred, it estimates that there is a possibility that an appearance abnormality has occurred and generates an optical appearance abnormality signal.

[0106] Furthermore, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 outputs optical appearance estimation information associating the generated optical appearance abnormality signal with the sensor ID to a higher-level device. In this way, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can estimate the adhesion state of dust or the like on the thermistor by monitoring the amount of change from the reference light quantity data with respect to the comparison light quantity data acquired during actual operation.

[0107] As shown in the specific examples in the above-described smoke detector and heat detector, the inspector collects the reference light quantity data in the initial state in advance according to the installation environment of the fire monitoring area. Furthermore, based on the collection result, the inspector obtains an appropriate allowable threshold value for identifying whether it reaches "significant dirt, corrosion, etc." from the viewpoint of the inspection standard and stores it in the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104.

[0108] During actual operation when actually monitoring for fires, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can acquire the comparative light quantity data measured by the optical means 103 at a preset sampling period, for example. The appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 determines, for each sampling period, whether or not the amount of change from the reference light quantity data of the acquired comparative light quantity data exceeds a preset allowable threshold according to the installation environment of the fire monitoring area.

[0109] When the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 determines that the amount of change exceeds the allowable threshold, it estimates that there may be an appearance abnormality related to "significant dirt, corrosion, etc." in the main body of the fire detector 100, and generates an optical appearance abnormality signal.

[0110] That is, during actual operation, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 monitors the comparative light quantity data, compares the amount of change from the reference light quantity data with the allowable threshold, and can predict the level of abnormality related to significant dirt, corrosion, etc. belonging to the appearance inspection at the desired timing without visual confirmation by the inspector.

[0111] Furthermore, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can output optical appearance estimation information associating the generated optical appearance abnormality signal with the detector ID to a higher-level device. The fire receiver 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the fire receiver 200 shown in FIG. 4 correspond to the higher-level device. In the following description, the configuration of the fire receiver 200 shown in FIG. 4 is used to explain the functions of the above device.

[0112] The fire receiver 200 corresponding to the higher-level device includes a reporting processing unit 201 and a transmission destination storage unit 202.

[0113] By receiving the optical appearance estimation information output from the fire detector 100, the reporting processing unit 201 can determine from the detector ID included in the optical appearance estimation information which fire detector 100 is estimated to have a possible appearance abnormality, and can report this optical appearance estimation information externally if necessary.

[0114] In addition, when the transmission destination storage unit 202 stores a transmission destination for notifying the optical appearance estimation information, the transmission processing unit 201 can wirelessly transmit the optical appearance estimation information to the transmission destination stored in the transmission destination storage unit 202. Examples of pre-registered transmission destinations include inspectors in charge of the corresponding fire monitoring area, administrators of building management companies, facility staff, and qualified personnel.

[0115] In addition, when it is determined that there is a possibility of an external shape abnormality occurring, the transmission processing unit 201 may notify information on the fire detector for which there is a possibility of an external shape abnormality, by means of a display unit or an acoustic unit provided in a fire receiver (not shown).

[0116] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the fire detector has a configuration capable of quantitatively measuring the secular change of the appearance inspection target portion of the detector main body by optical means, and when it is estimated that a secular change exceeding the allowable threshold has occurred based on the quantitative measurement result, it has a function of outputting the optical appearance estimation information associated with the detector ID to the upper device. As a result, it is possible to realize a fire detector and a fire alarm system capable of reducing the work load related to appearance inspection.

[0117] In particular, by utilizing the fire detector and the fire alarm system according to the third embodiment, it is possible to quantitatively estimate, based on the measurement result of the light quantity data, whether or not there is a possibility of an appearance abnormality related to "significant dirt, corrosion, etc." occurring during actual operation, and to quickly transmit the optical appearance estimation information to the necessary personnel.

[0118] As a result, the inspector or the like who has received the optical appearance estimation information can quickly perform an appearance inspection based on the optical appearance estimation information at an appropriate timing before the regular inspection, and can perform necessary countermeasures such as cleaning and replacement, thereby preventing in advance a state in which normal fire detection cannot be performed due to significant dirt, corrosion, or the like.

[0119] In the specific example in the above-described Embodiment 3, when the amount of change in the comparison light amount data with respect to the reference light amount data in the fire detector main body exceeds the allowable threshold value, the configuration in which the fire detector generates optical appearance estimation information and outputs it to the upper device has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration.

[0120] The appearance abnormality estimation unit in the fire detector may always output the calculated amount of change as change amount information to the upper device regardless of whether the amount of change exceeds the allowable threshold value. On the upper device side, the change amount information may be periodically sampled to create and store time-series data of the amount of change.

[0121] When such a configuration is adopted, the inspector can refer to the time-series data of the amount of change stored on the upper device side, grasp the transition of the amount of change in the light amount data in the installation environment, and then perform an appropriate inspection operation.

[0122] In the specific example in the above-described Embodiment 3, the configuration in which the amount of change in the light amount data in the fire detector main body is compared with an allowable threshold value as one preset threshold value has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration.

[0123] For example, it is conceivable to set the allowable threshold value as the first threshold value, set the second threshold value as a value of the amount of change smaller than the first threshold value, and divide the allowable change amount range of the light amount data. When two threshold values are used in this way, although the value of the amount of change in the light amount has not reached the first threshold value which is the allowable threshold value, it exceeds the second threshold value and is included in the range below the first threshold value, so that it is possible to quantitatively monitor that a dangerous state has occurred in which the amount of change in the light amount data conforms to the allowable threshold value.

[0124] When it is possible to monitor such a dangerous state, for example, when the number of times corresponding to a dangerous state in which the amount of change in the light quantity data included in the range exceeding the second threshold value and equal to or less than the first threshold value is obtained exceeds a preset allowable number of times, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can generate optical appearance estimation information and transmit it to a higher-level device.

[0125] Alternatively, every time a dangerous state in which the amount of change in the light quantity data included in the range exceeding the second threshold value and equal to or less than the first threshold value is obtained occurs, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can generate dangerous state estimation information, transmit it to a higher-level device, and on the higher-level device side, create and store time-series data every time the dangerous state estimation information is received.

[0126] When such a configuration is adopted, the inspector can further refer to the time-series data of the dangerous state estimation information, grasp the transition of the amount of change in the light quantity data in the installation environment, and then perform an appropriate inspection operation. Furthermore, it is also possible to take appropriate measures to prevent appearance abnormalities.

[0127] Embodiment 4. In the previous Embodiment 3, the case where the fire receiver 200 is used as the higher-level device of the fire detector 100 was described. In contrast, in this Embodiment 4, the case where a cloud server is used as the higher-level device of the fire detector 100 will be described.

[0128] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a fire notification system according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. The fire notification system according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure has a configuration in which a fire detector 100, a cloud server 300, and N mobile terminals 400(1) to 400(N) are communicably connected via a network 500.

[0129] The fire detector 100 according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure is substantially the same as the fire detector 100 according to the previous Embodiment 3, except that the transmission destination of the optical appearance estimation information is the cloud server 300 instead of the fire receiver 200.

[0130] In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the fire detector 100 transmits the optical appearance estimation information to the cloud server 300 via the network 500. However, a system may be adopted in which the optical appearance estimation information is output from the fire detector 100 to the fire receiver 200 as in the previous Embodiment 3, and the fire receiver 200 transmits the optical appearance estimation information received from the fire detector 100 to the cloud server 300 via the network 500.

[0131] The cloud server 300 corresponding to the upper device of the fire detector 100 has a destination storage unit 301 that stores destinations for notifying the optical appearance estimation information. Here, it is assumed that the addresses of N mobile terminals 400(1) to 400(N) are stored as destinations in the destination storage unit 301.

[0132] By referring to the destinations stored in the destination storage unit 301, the cloud server 300 can wirelessly transmit the optical appearance estimation information to each of the N mobile terminals 400(1) to 400(N).

[0133] Examples of pre-registered destinations include mobile terminals owned by inspectors in charge of the corresponding fire monitoring area, administrators of building management companies, facility staff, and qualified personnel.

[0134] As described above, according to Embodiment 4, even when a cloud server is used as the upper device, the same effects as those of the previous Embodiment 3 can be achieved.

[0135] In addition, by adopting a configuration using a cloud server, for example, it becomes possible to centrally manage in a batch the status of the amount of change in the light quantity data in various fire detectors installed in different facilities where each of a plurality of fire receivers is installed.

[0136] The fire detectors and fire alarm systems according to the above-described Embodiments 1 to 4 can all estimate the secular change state of any item included in the visual inspection for checking "no deformation, damage, detachment, significant dirt or corrosion, etc." at an appropriate timing during actual operation, and can perform cleaning, replacement, etc. of the components that affect the fire detection accuracy at an appropriate timing. As a result, it is possible to reduce the workload related to the visual inspection.

[0137] Furthermore, if it is possible to refer to the measurement results of the impact energy or the time-series data regarding the change amount of the light quantity data, it is possible to analyze the factors that cause "deformation, damage, detachment, significant dirt or corrosion, etc." according to the installation environment, and it is also possible to take appropriate measures to prevent the occurrence of visual abnormalities.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0138] 10 Fire receiver, 20 Addressable transmitter, 31 Fire detector, 40 Repeater for detector, 41 Fire detector, 50 Repeater for smoke control, 51 Fire door, 52 Smoke exhaust fan, 53 Shutter, 54 Curtain wall, 100 Fire detector, 101 Impact measurement unit, 102 Outer shape damage estimation unit, 103 Optical means, 103a Light emitter, 103b Light receiver, 104 Visual abnormality estimation unit, 110 Insect screen (visual inspection target part), 200 Fire receiver, 201 Alarm transmission processing unit, 202 Transmission destination storage unit, 300 Cloud server, 301 Transmission destination storage unit, 400 Mobile terminal, 500 Network.

Claims

1. An impact measurement unit capable of measuring impact energy externally applied to the sensor body, and a shape damage estimation unit that estimates that there may be an abnormal shape of the main body when the impact energy exceeds a predetermined value and generates a shape damage signal A fire detector comprising.

2. The impact measurement unit can individually measure impact energy in a plurality of directions, The shape damage estimation unit compares the impact energy measured for each of the plurality of directions with a previously set allowable impact threshold value for each of the plurality of directions, and when the impact energy exceeds the allowable impact threshold value in at least one of the plurality of directions, it is estimated that there may be an abnormal shape of the main body and a shape damage signal is generated The fire detector according to claim 1.

3. An impact measurement unit capable of measuring impact energy externally applied to the sensor body, and when the impact energy exceeds a predetermined value, it is estimated that there may be an abnormal shape of the sensor body and a shape damage signal is generated, and a shape damage estimation unit that outputs shape damage estimation information associating the generated shape damage signal with a sensor ID, which is unique identification information assigned in advance, and A host device that notifies the shape damage estimation information to a destination registered in advance as a destination when the shape damage estimation information output from the fire detector is received A fire alarm system comprising.

4. The impact measurement unit can individually measure impact energy in a plurality of directions, The shape damage estimation unit compares the impact energy measured for each of the plurality of directions with a previously set allowable impact threshold value for each of the plurality of directions, and when the impact energy exceeds the allowable impact threshold value in at least one of the plurality of directions, it is estimated that there may be an abnormal shape of the sensor body and a shape damage signal is generated The fire alarm system according to claim 3.

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