Fire sensor, and fire alarm system

Abstract

To obtain a fire sensor capable of reducing a workload concerning appearance checkup.SOLUTION: A fire sensor according to the present disclosure comprises: optical means that acquires light amount data used for estimating aging relating to an appearance inspection object part of the fire sensor; and an appearance abnormality estimation part that generates an optical appearance abnormality signal when it is estimated that there is a risk of occurrence of appearance abnormality by storing the light amount data acquired beforehand by the optical means in an initial state where no appearance abnormality occurs as reference light amount data to store the light amount data acquired by the optical means during an actual operation as comparison light amount data, and by estimating whether or not there is the risk of occurrence of the appearance abnormality at the appearance inspection object part based on a change amount of the comparison light amount data to the reference light amount data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

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, 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 that suits the usage status of the building must be adopted. As a result, in reality, inspection work tends to concentrate on holidays and at night when the building is less used. 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 saving in the inspection work. However, regarding the appearance inspection, it is necessary to carry out the inspection 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 optical means for acquiring light quantity data used to estimate the secular change of the appearance inspection target part of the fire detector, stores the light quantity data acquired in advance by the optical means as reference light quantity data in an initial state where no appearance abnormality has occurred, stores the light quantity data acquired by the optical means during actual operation as comparison light quantity data, estimates whether there is a possibility that an appearance abnormality has occurred in the appearance inspection target part based on the change amount of the comparison light quantity data with respect to the reference light quantity data, and an appearance abnormality estimation unit that generates an optical appearance abnormality signal when it is estimated that there is a possibility that an appearance abnormality has occurred.

[0011] In addition, the fire alarm system according to the present disclosure includes an optical means for acquiring light quantity data used for estimating the secular change related to the appearance inspection target part of the sensor main body, and stores, as reference light quantity data, the light quantity data acquired in advance by the optical means in the initial state where no appearance abnormality has occurred. During actual operation, the light quantity data acquired by the optical means is stored as comparison light quantity data, and based on the change amount of the comparison light quantity data with respect to the reference light quantity data, it is estimated whether there is a possibility that an appearance abnormality has occurred in the appearance inspection target part. When it is estimated that there is a possibility that an appearance abnormality has occurred, an optical appearance abnormality signal is generated, and an estimation unit that outputs optical appearance estimation information in which the optical appearance abnormality signal is associated with a sensor ID, which is unique identification information assigned in advance, and a fire sensor that receives the optical appearance estimation information output from the fire sensor, and a host device that notifies the optical appearance estimation information to a transmission destination registered in advance as the transmission destination when receiving the optical appearance estimation information output from the fire sensor.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain a fire sensor and a fire alarm system having a function of reducing the work load related to appearance inspection.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments 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 have a configuration capable of quantitatively measuring light amount data used for estimating secular changes in the appearance inspection target part, and when the change amount of the light amount data from the initial state exceeds the allowable threshold value, it is estimated that an appearance abnormality has occurred, and it is a technical feature to have a function of generating an optical appearance abnormality signal.

[0015] Embodiment 1. First, the overall image 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 sensor relay 40, and a smoke control relay 50 via a signal line SG.

[0017] A plurality of fire detectors are connected to the sensor relay 40. In FIG. 1, four fire detectors 41 to 44 are illustrated. Further, a fire door 51, a smoke exhaust fan 52, a shutter 53, and a curtain wall 54 are connected to the smoke 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 group of sensors 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 correspond to a plurality of terminal devices that operate in conjunction with the detection results of the respective plurality of fire detectors and function to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, etc. A group of terminal devices is constituted by the plurality of terminal devices.

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

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

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

[0024] Each terminal equipment included in the terminal equipment group has a pre-defined setting on which fire detector's detection result it will operate in conjunction with. For example, by pre-setting the correspondence relationship between the interlocking operations of multiple fire detectors and multiple terminal equipment as an interlocking table, the fire receiver 10 can identify appropriate terminal equipment from the interlocking table based on the detection results of each of the multiple fire detectors and cause them to perform interlocking operations.

[0025] Also, although not shown in FIG. 1, based on the collected fire-related information, the fire receiver 10 can output a transfer signal, 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. Also, each fire detector is fixedly installed in a pre-determined section within the fire monitoring area and is used in combination with other disaster prevention equipment.

[0027] In Embodiment 1, the main purpose is to give the fire detector a configuration capable of quantitatively measuring the impact energy applied from the outside to the detector body, and when impact energy exceeding the allowable impact threshold is applied, generate external damage estimation information associated with the detector ID and output 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 that constitute 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 the previous FIG. 1. Usually, it is composed of a plurality of units. However, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, in FIG. 2, it is illustrated as a single fire detector 100.

[0031] Also, the fire receiver 200 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the fire receiver 10 in the previous FIG. 1 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] Note that in FIG. 2, the illustration of the function of outputting a conventionally provided 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, in the fire receiver 200 in FIG. 2, only the functions corresponding to the functions which are the technical features newly provided by the fire detector 100 are illustrated.

[0034] The fire detector 100 is newly configured to include 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 and a shock sensor.

[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 shock. 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 impact tests or the like, data regarding the impact energy measured by the impact measurement unit 101 corresponding to the level at which the sensor may be deformed, damaged, or detached is collected. Further, based on the collection results, an allowable impact threshold value for identifying whether the sensor reaches the state of "deformation, damage, detachment" or not is obtained from the perspective of inspection criteria and stored in the external damage estimation unit 102.

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

[0038] During actual operation of 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. For each sampling period, the external damage estimation unit 102 determines whether the obtained impact energy exceeds the allowable impact threshold value set in advance according to the installation environment of the fire monitoring area.

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

[0040] That is, during actual operation, the external damage estimation unit 102 monitors the impact energy and compares it with the allowable impact threshold value, so that the level of external abnormality belonging to the external inspection can be predicted at the desired timing without 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 sensor 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 alarm receiver 200 corresponding to the upper device includes a reporting processing unit 201 and a destination storage unit 202.

[0043] By receiving the outer shape damage estimation information output from the fire detector 100, the 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 an abnormal outer shape, and if necessary, can report this outer shape damage estimation information externally.

[0044] In addition, when the destination for notifying the outer shape damage estimation information is stored in the destination storage unit 202, the reporting processing unit 201 can wirelessly transmit the outer shape damage estimation information to the destination stored in the destination storage unit 202. Examples of pre-registered 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 reporting processing unit 201 determines that there is a possibility of an abnormal outer shape, it may notify information on the fire detector that may have an abnormal outer shape by a display unit or an acoustic unit provided in a fire alarm receiver (not shown).

[0046] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it has a configuration capable of quantitatively measuring the impact energy applied from the outside to the sensor 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 sensor ID to the upper device. As a result, a fire detector and a fire alarm system capable of reducing the work load related to the external appearance 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 abnormal outer shape related to "deformation, damage, detachment" has occurred during actual operation, and 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 quickly perform 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 addition, in the specific example of 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 to create and store time-series data of the impact energy.

[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] In addition, in the specific example of 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 an 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 equivalent 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 the upper 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 occurs in which impact energy exceeding the second threshold and included in the range below the first threshold is applied, the outer shape damage estimation unit 102 can generate dangerous state estimation information, transmit it to the upper device, and on the upper device side, create and store time series data 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 strength of the fire detector against impact varies depending on the direction of the impact. 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 for 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 abnormality in the external shape of the main body and generate an external damage signal.

[0060] In addition, when the external damage estimation unit 102 estimates an external abnormality 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 it is possible to notify the damage status of the fire detector 100 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 was 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 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 external damage estimation information to the cloud server 300 via the network 500. However, a system may be adopted in which the external 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 external 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 higher-level device of the fire detector 100 has a destination storage unit 301 in which destinations for notifying the external 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] By referring to the destinations stored in the destination storage unit 301, the cloud server 300 can wirelessly transmit the external damage estimation information to each of the N mobile terminals 400(1) to 400(N).

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

[0068] As described above, according to Embodiment 2, even when a cloud server is used as the higher-level 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 collectively 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 for 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 the impact measurement unit and estimating whether there is a possibility of an abnormal external 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 for 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 is usually composed of a plurality of units. For the sake of simplicity of explanation, in FIG. 4, it is illustrated as 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 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.

[0077] 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 the third embodiment 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 to include an optical means 103 and an appearance abnormality estimation unit 104. The optical means 103 corresponds to means for acquiring light quantity data used to estimate 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 shape inspection of the fire detector 100 are "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, taking a smoke detector and a heat detector as specific examples of the fire detector 100, a method for estimating the secular change regarding the appearance inspection target part will be described.

[0081] <Regarding the method for estimating the secular change regarding the appearance inspection target part of the smoke detector> A 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 misjudged as smoke and a fire is determined. Therefore, in order to prevent such false detection, the smoke detector is provided with an insect-proof net for preventing the intrusion of dust and the like.

[0082] Dust that is longer than the mesh size of the insect-proof net such as lint does not enter the inside of the smoke detector when floating due to the effect of the insect-proof net. However, after adhering to the insect-proof net, the tip of the lint easily enters the hole of the insect-proof net. 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 required to be 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, places where it is difficult to stand, etc., and the current visual inspection has very poor workability.

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

[0085] The optical means 103 suitable for detecting the state in which dust is attached to the insect-proof net can be composed of a light emitter that irradiates the insect-proof net, which is the appearance inspection target part, and a light receiver that captures the reflected light from the insect-proof net. The insect-proof net 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-proof net.

[0086] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a configuration example of a fire detector 100 according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. FIG. 5(A) shows a planar view of the fire detector 100 equipped with the optical means 103 as seen from the side, and FIG. 5(B) shows 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, by arranging the light emitter 103a and the light receiver 103b so as to easily detect the reflected light in the portion corresponding to the direction in which the airflow hits the insect screen 110, it is possible to target the portion where the most dust is expected to adhere.

[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, in 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 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 is a possibility that an appearance abnormality has occurred 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 with respect to 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 of the appearance inspection target part of the heat sensor> The heat sensor detects the amount of heat using a thermistor, but 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 dust or other deposits on the thermistor, manual cleaning is currently being performed. However, the thermal sensors are often installed in high places or in locations 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, it is considered possible to improve workability by optically estimating that the state where dust or the like adheres to the thermistor is an occurrence of appearance abnormality.

[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 to 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 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.

[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 changed 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 a 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 conducting fire monitoring, the appearance abnormality estimation unit 104 can acquire the comparative light quantity data measured by the optical means 103 at a preset sampling period as an 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 as needed.

[0114] Further, when a transmission destination for notifying the optical appearance estimation information is stored in the transmission destination storage unit 202, the alarm 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 that an external shape abnormality has occurred, the alarm transmission processing unit 201 may notify information of the fire detector for which there is a possibility that an external shape abnormality has occurred by a display unit or an acoustic unit provided in a fire receiver (not shown).

[0116] As described above, according to the third embodiment, it has a configuration capable of quantitatively measuring the secular change of the appearance inspection target part of the sensor 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 sensor ID to a higher-level 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 there is a possibility that an appearance abnormality related to "significant dirt, corrosion, etc." has occurred during actual operation, and quickly transmit the optical appearance estimation information to 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 perform necessary countermeasures such as cleaning and replacement, thereby preventing in advance a state where normal fire detection cannot be performed due to significant dirt, corrosion, or the like.

[0119] In the specific example of the above-described Embodiment 3, when the change amount of 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 change amount as change amount information to the upper device regardless of whether the change amount exceeds the allowable threshold value, and on the upper device side, the change amount information is periodically sampled to create and store time-series data of the change amount.

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

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

[0123] For example, the allowable threshold value is set as the first threshold value, and the second threshold value is set as a value of the change amount smaller than the first threshold value, and the allowable change amount range of the light amount data can be divided. When two threshold values are used in this way, although the change amount of the light amount has not reached the value up to the first threshold value which is the allowable threshold value, it exceeds the second threshold value and is included in the range equal to or less than the first threshold value, so that a dangerous state in which a change amount of the light amount data according to the allowable threshold value has occurred can be quantitatively monitored.

[0124] When such a dangerous state can be monitored, for example, when the number of times corresponding to a dangerous state in which the change amount of 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 change amount of 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 and transmit it to a higher-level device. On the higher-level device side, time-series data can be created and stored 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 change amount of 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 the 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 persons.

[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 aging 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 Signs

[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 External 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. Optical means for acquiring light quantity data used to estimate the secular change related to the appearance inspection target part of a fire detector, The light quantity data acquired in advance by the optical means in the initial state where no appearance abnormality has occurred is stored as reference light quantity data, and the light quantity data acquired by the optical means during actual operation is stored as comparison light quantity data. Based on the change amount of the comparison light quantity data with respect to the reference light quantity data, it is estimated whether there is a possibility that the appearance abnormality has occurred in the appearance inspection target part. When it is estimated that there is a possibility that the appearance abnormality has occurred, an appearance abnormality estimation unit that generates an optical appearance abnormality signal A fire detector comprising:

2. The optical means is Composed of a light emitter and a light receiver attached to the outside of the main body of the fire detector, The received light quantity of the reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitter toward the appearance inspection target part and acquired by the light receiver is used as the light quantity data The fire detector according to claim 1.

3. Optical means for acquiring light quantity data used to estimate the secular change related to the appearance inspection target part of the detector main body, the light quantity data acquired in advance by the optical means in the initial state where no appearance abnormality has occurred is stored as reference light quantity data, and the light quantity data acquired by the optical means during actual operation is stored as comparison light quantity data. Based on the change amount of the comparison light quantity data with respect to the reference light quantity data, it is estimated whether there is a possibility that the appearance abnormality has occurred in the appearance inspection target part. When it is estimated that there is a possibility that the appearance abnormality has occurred, an optical appearance abnormality signal is generated, and an estimation unit that outputs optical appearance estimation information associating the optical appearance abnormality signal with a detector ID which is unique identification information assigned in advance. A fire detector having, When receiving the optical appearance estimation information output from the fire detector, a host device that notifies the optical appearance estimation information to a transmission destination registered in advance as the transmission destination A fire alarm system comprising:

4. The optical means is Composed of a light emitter and a light receiver attached to the outside of the main body of the fire detector, The received light quantity of the reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitter toward the appearance inspection target part and acquired by the light receiver is used as the light quantity data The fire alarm system according to claim 3.

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