Testing equipment

Abstract

When obtaining test information from a sensor, which includes multiple types of information indicated by the illumination of indicator lights, to determine whether the sensor is functioning correctly, the acquisition of test information is ensured. [Solution] The tester 2 includes a housing unit 20 that covers and houses a sensor 1 which transmits test information related to the test by encoding it in the flashing pattern of an indicator light, and a plurality of light receiving units 23 that are positioned within the housing unit 20 in an area that can face the indicator light 13 when the housing unit 20 covers the sensor 1, and each unit outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the light it receives. The tester 2 determines whether the sensor 1 is normal or not based on the test information indicated by the signal output by at least one of the plurality of light receiving units 23.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tester technology for testing a detector that senses a fire to obtain information.

Background Art

[0002] When a detector that senses a fire operates, an indicator light is lit to identify the operating detector. This indicator light is mainly for visual confirmation by people, but when the detector is operated for regular inspection, etc., the operating state of the detector may also be grasped by detecting the lighting state of this indicator light.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a fire detector including a microcomputer that determines the sensitivity of a light-emitting circuit and a light-receiving circuit based on the output of the light-receiving circuit, and causes a fire indicator light to emit light at least three times at time intervals corresponding to the sensitivities of the light-emitting circuit and the light-receiving circuit in one output of an activation signal.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a test device that receives light output from an indicator light of a detector and detects a state related to the detection of an abnormality by the detector based on the received light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, the information indicating the state of the detector has various contents in addition to the distinction between abnormal and normal and the scalar value of sensitivity.

[0007] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the fire indicator light must fix the time interval between two consecutive flashes and set the time interval between the other two consecutive flashes to a time corresponding to the sensitivity of the detector's detection unit, and must flash at least three times. Furthermore, in this technology, the sensitivity testing device for testing the sensitivity of the fire detector must wait for the fixed time interval and the time interval corresponding to the sensitivity to elapse between the three flashes. Moreover, in this technology, the fire indicator light can only convey a single scalar value indicating sensitivity through three flashes.

[0008] Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 2 merely determines whether or not the indicator light of the sensor lit up within the judgment time. In other words, this technology does not embody information in the illumination operation of the indicator light or anything like that.

[0009] Furthermore, since none of these methods transmit complex and large amounts of information, for example, the technology described in Patent Document 1 assumes that the intensity of the pulsed emission of a fire indicator light can be detected by a single sensitivity testing device. Also, the technology described in Patent Document 2 assumes that the light-receiving unit of the housing is positioned directly below the indicator light of the detector.

[0010] The present invention aims to ensure the reliable acquisition of test information, which includes multiple types of information indicated by the illumination of an indicator light, when determining whether a sensor is functioning correctly by acquiring test information from the sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a detector equipped with an indicator light that lights up when it detects a fire and triggers a fire alarm, the detector having a light receiving unit that receives light from the detector, which lights up the indicator light to indicate that the detector has triggered an alarm when the sensor detects an object, and transmits test information, which includes identification information of the detector, by encoding it in a transmission path using the flashing pattern of the indicator light; an acquisition unit that acquires the test information based on the flashing pattern of the light received by the light receiving unit; and a determination unit that determines whether the detector is functioning normally based on the test information acquired by the acquisition unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, when acquiring test information containing multiple types of information indicated by the illumination of an indicator light from a sensor and determining whether or not the sensor is functioning correctly, the acquisition of test information can be reliably achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] A diagram showing one example of the overall configuration of the detector testing system 9. [Figure 2] A diagram showing another example of the overall configuration of the detector testing system 9. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the structure of test information 122. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the configuration of test apparatus 2. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of the arrangement of indicator lights 13 in sensor 1. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the light receiving unit 23 in the test device 2a. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of region A. [Figure 8] A diagram illustrating the distance from the indicator light 13 to the light receiving unit 23. [Figure 9] This diagram shows an example of the sensor 1 being covered by the housing 20 of the test apparatus 2. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of the light-receiving range of the light-receiving unit 23. [Figure 11]A diagram showing an example of the appearance of window 201. [Figure 12] A diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of tester 2.

[0014] [Embodiment] [Overall Configuration of Sensor Test System] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of sensor test system 9. Sensor test system 9 includes one or more sensors 1, one or more testers {2a}, and a receiver 3. Sensor test system 9 is a system that tests sensor 1 using tester {2a} and causes tester {2a} to acquire the test information accumulated by sensor 1.

[0015] Sensor 1 is a device that senses a fire and issues a fire alarm. In the illustrated example, it is installed on ceiling C. Tester {2a} is a device that tests sensor 1 and acquires test information from sensor 1.

[0016] Receiver 3 is installed in a management room or the like and is electrically connected to each of one or more sensors 1 installed in the monitoring area. Receiver 3 is a device that receives a fire signal from the connected sensor or transmitter and transmits an alarm signal to an acoustic device, a smoke control and exhaust equipment, etc. to notify of a fire, and operates to manage the power supplied to the corresponding sensor 1 upon receiving a notification from sensor 1. When any one of sensors 1 senses a fire, receiver 3 receives an alarm signal from that sensor 1 and supplies the power required for fire alarm to that sensor 1.

[0017] Sensor 1 shown in FIG. C has an indicator light 13 and a sensor 14. Tester {2a} shown in FIG. 1 has a housing portion 20, a light receiving portion 23, a connecting portion 24, a support rod 25, a supply portion {26}, and a sensitivity test unit U.

[0018] Sensor 14 senses an object indicating a fire. Sensor 14 shown in FIG. 1 senses smoke, heat, infrared rays, etc. as an object indicating a fire. When sensor 1 senses heat or smoke, which is the object of sensor 14, indicator light 13, also called a confirmation light, lights up, indicating that sensor 1 has operated and issued a fire alarm.

[0019] The support rod 25 is a rod for the user to hold the test apparatus 2a while performing the test. As shown in Figure 1, one end of the support rod 25 is connected to and supports the various components of the test apparatus 2a. The other end of the support rod 25 (not shown in Figure 1) is equipped with a handle for the user to grasp, a lever for operation, or other operating elements.

[0020] The housing section 20 is bowl-shaped and designed to cover the sensor 1 and be in close contact with the ceiling C. When covered by the housing section 20, the space around the sensor 1 is isolated both inside and outside the housing section 20.

[0021] The housing section 20 is constructed of a material and color that makes it difficult for light from the outside to penetrate to the inside. The material constituting this housing section 20 is preferably highly flexible, such as rubber or synthetic resin, so as not to create a gap between it and the ceiling C. Furthermore, it is preferable that this housing section 20 is constructed of a color that shields the red light emitted by the indicator light 13, such as black. In this case, the light emitted from the indicator light 13 of the sensor 1 is less likely to leak out of the housing section 20.

[0022] The supply unit 26 is a smoke-generating unit that emits test smoke (including simulated smoke) and supplies it to the detector 1, and includes, for example, a can that emits smoke components that mimic fire smoke along with compressed gas.

[0023] The connecting section 24 is connected to a lid that covers the opening from which the supply section 26 releases smoke, and is also connected to an operator such as a lever provided at the other end of the support rod 25. When the user operates the operator, the connecting section 24 rotates and removes the lid of the supply section 26. As a result, the supply section 26 releases smoke in the direction of the sensor 1 containing the sensor 14.

[0024] As described above, when the sensor 14 detects smoke components released from the supply unit 26, the detector 1 triggers a fire alarm and illuminates the indicator light 13. At this time, the detector 1 transmits the test information 122 that was performed on the detector 1, encoded by the flashing pattern of the indicator light 13.

[0025] The light receiving unit 23 receives light from the indicator light 13 and sends a signal (called a light receiving signal) corresponding to its flashing pattern to the sensitivity test unit U.

[0026] Furthermore, the aforementioned housing section 20 may be provided with a window for a person to visually confirm the light emitted from the indicator light 13 of the sensor 1. This window is made of transparent or translucent resin or the like, and separates the internal and external spaces to prevent the inflow or outflow of substances while allowing the light from the indicator light 13 to pass to the outside. This window may be positioned, for example, behind the light receiving section 23. With this arrangement, the light receiving section 23 receives the light from the indicator light 13 while being less susceptible to light entering through the window.

[0027] The sensitivity test unit U has a processor, memory, etc., and acquires the light received signal sent from the light receiving unit 23, and extracts the test information that has been encoded in the transmission path by the sensor 1 from this light received signal.

[0028] Figure 2 shows another example of the overall configuration of the detector test system 9. The detector test system 9 has one or more detectors 1, one or more testers 2b, and a receiver 3. When not distinguishing between them, the tester 2a shown in Figure 1 and the tester 2b shown in Figure 2 are simply referred to as tester 2, respectively. It is described as follows.

[0029] Tester 2b is similar to tester 2a described above in that it is a device for testing sensor 1. On the other hand, tester 2b differs from tester 2a in that it does not have a supply unit 26. Tester 2b has a transmitter 28. The transmitter 28 transmits a test start signal to sensor 1 indicating that the test should be started. Tester 2b may also have a sensitivity test unit U. In this case, the transmitter 28 can transmit the test start signal described above, for example, under the control of a processor in the sensitivity test unit U. Sensor 1 shown in Figure 2 has a receiver 15, and when it receives the test start signal transmitted by the transmitter 28 of tester 2b, it lights up an indicator light 13 and transmits test information 122, which is encoded in the transmission path by the flashing pattern of the indicator light 13.

[0030] [Structure of Exam Information] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of test information 122. Sensor 1 has a memory unit (not shown) and stores the test information 122 shown in Figure 3 in its memory unit. Test information 122 is information that associates values ​​with each of several items. This test information 122 stores values ​​for the following items: "model code", "manufacturing date", "serial number", "fire threshold", "amount of contamination", and "fire history".

[0031] The "Model Code" field is for storing the model code, which is identification information that identifies the model of sensor 1.

[0032] The "Date of Manufacture" field is where the date of manufacture of sensor 1 is recorded.

[0033] The "Serial Number" field is for storing the serial number of sensor 1. This serial number is an example of identification information that uniquely identifies sensor 1.

[0034] Note that "model code" and "manufacturing date" are information indicating the model and manufacturing date of sensor 1, respectively. While these may not identify individual sensors 1, they are used to identify the group to which sensor 1 belongs. Therefore, "model code" and "manufacturing date" are also included in the sensor identification information. Furthermore, "serial number" does not necessarily have to be identification information that uniquely identifies sensor 1; for example, it may be information that, when combined with "model code" and / or "manufacturing date," becomes identification information that uniquely identifies the sensor. In other words, "model code," "manufacturing date," "serial number," and combinations thereof are examples of identification information for sensor 1.

[0035] The "fire threshold" is information that indicates the threshold at which the sensitivity of detector 1 is deemed abnormal. For example, if the measured sensitivity exceeds a predetermined percentage of smoke concentration (e.g., 10% / m) or a predetermined temperature (e.g., 60°C) relative to the fire threshold, the detector 1 at which the sensitivity was measured is determined to be abnormal. Because each detector 1 is unique, the fire threshold is set according to the results of testing each detector 1 at the time of factory shipment.

[0036] "Dirt level" is an example of sensitivity information indicating the sensitivity of sensor 14. This dirt level is a scalar value indicating how dirty sensor 14 of detector 1 is, and can be expressed in 256 steps, for example. The dirt level is estimated, for example, by how far the output voltage of the amplifier (not shown) connected to sensor 14 deviates from its initial value when placed in a smoke-free space within the electrical circuit inside detector 1.

[0037] The "fire history" is information indicating the number of times a "fire" was detected within a predetermined period, such as one week. The "fires" detected here are not limited to actual fires, but for example, when sensor 14 is trying to... This also includes cases where experimental smoke is detected. Furthermore, this "fire" may include those detected due to a malfunction of any component of detector 1.

[0038] Sensor 1 has a transmitting unit (not shown), which converts test information 122, which has been encoded in the transmission path by an encoding unit (not shown), into the operation of turning on and off indicator lights 13 according to a predetermined method, and transmits this flashing pattern of light to tester 2. [Test equipment configuration] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the test device 2. The test device 2 shown in Figure 4 has a processor 21, memory 22, light receiving unit 23, and supply unit 26. These components are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other, for example, by a bus. The processor 21 and memory 22 constitute the sensitivity test unit U described above. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU that controls each part of the test device 2 by reading and executing programs stored in memory 22. The memory 22 is a storage means that stores the operating system, various programs, data, etc. that are loaded into the processor 21, and has RAM or ROM. The memory 22 may also have a solid-state drive, a hard disk drive, etc. Furthermore, this test device 2 may also have a transmission unit 28.

[0039] [Mechanical structure] The mechanical structures of sensor 1 and test device 2 are described below with reference to diagrams. In the diagrams below, the space in which each component is arranged is represented as an xyz right-handed coordinate system. Among the coordinate symbols shown in the diagrams, a symbol with a point inside a circle represents an arrow pointing from the back of the paper to the front, and a symbol with two intersecting lines inside a circle represents an arrow pointing from the front of the paper to the back. In space, the direction along the x-axis is called the x-axis direction. Within the x-axis direction, the direction in which the x component increases is called the +x direction, and the direction in which the x component decreases is called the -x direction. The y and z components are also defined according to the above definitions as the y-axis direction, +y direction, -y direction, z-axis direction, +z direction, and -z direction. In the diagrams, the -z direction is the direction in which gravity acts, i.e., downward.

[0040] [Placement of indicator lights on detectors] Figure 5 shows an example of the arrangement of indicator lights 13 in a smoke detector, as an example of a detector 1. Figure 5 shows a view of detector 1 installed on the ceiling C from below. When viewed along the +z direction, that is, from the floor towards the ceiling, the housing 10 of detector 1 has a circular outline (also called the outer circumference).

[0041] This circular contour is centered at point O in the xy-plane, as shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the sensor 14 is located in the internal space of the portion of the housing 10 that protrudes downward (in the -z direction). This downwardly protruding portion, like the outer perimeter of the housing 10, has a circular contour centered at point O in the xy-plane.

[0042] The indicator lights 13 shown in Figure 5 are exposed on the outer surface of the sensor 14, one at each end in the +y direction and the other in the -y direction, for a total of two lights. These indicator lights 13 are, for example, made up of a continuous, integrated light-emitting element inside the housing 10. Because this light-emitting element is exposed through two holes provided in the housing 10, two indicator lights 13 are recognized from the outside. Note that the number of indicator lights 13 recognized from the outside is not limited to two; it could be one, three or more, or any number.

[0043] [Placement of light-receiving elements in the test device] Figure 6 shows an example of the arrangement of the light-receiving units 23 in the test device 2a. The test device 2 may have one or more light-receiving units 23, but it is desirable to have multiple light-receiving units 23 so that the light-receiving units 23 can easily face the indicator light 13 regardless of the orientation in which they are applied to the sensor 1, without having to worry about the position of the light-receiving units 23 of the test device 2. In this embodiment, the test device 2a is shown in Figure 6. It has a housing section 20 and eight light-receiving sections 23. These eight light-receiving sections 23 are, for example, photodiodes, and their light-receiving wavelength band includes the wavelength of light emitted by the indicator light 13, and they output a signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light. The arrangement of the light-receiving sections 23 in the tester 2b is similar.

[0044] When the worker presses the test device 2 against the ceiling C (see Figure 5) so that the approximate center of the inner wall (also called the inner circumference) of the annular peripheral surface 204 aligns with the center of the sensor 1 (point O shown in Figure 5), the bowl-shaped housing 20 covers the housing 10 and houses the sensor 1. In other words, this housing 20 is an example of a housing that covers and houses the sensor 1, which transmits test information 122 related to the test by encoding it using the flashing pattern of the indicator light 13.

[0045] The housing section 20 has a window 201, ribs 202, and a nozzle inlet 203. The window 201 is a window that allows the internal space of the tester 2 to be seen from the outside. The window 201 may be an opening in the housing section 20, or it may be made of a material that transmits a certain amount of light, such as transparent resin or glass. In Figure 6, the window 201 is provided on the bottom surface 205, but it may also be provided on the peripheral surface 204.

[0046] This window 201 allows the operator performing the test using the test device 2 to see the light emitted from the indicator light 13 of the sensor 1 housed in the housing 20 from outside the test device 2. In other words, this window 201 is an example of a window that allows the light of an indicator light to be seen from the outside.

[0047] The portion of the housing 20 other than the window 201 is made of a material that does not easily transmit light from the outside into the interior. In addition, the upper surface of the housing 20, that is, the end face in the +z direction, is formed flat in an O shape. This upper surface is covered with an elastically deformable material such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber. Therefore, when the housing 20 covers the sensor 1, the aforementioned upper surface adheres tightly to the smooth ceiling C, eliminating any gaps, and the amount of light coming from the outside into the interior is reduced.

[0048] The multiple light-receiving units 23 described above are located inside the housing unit 20, for example, on a donut-shaped plate (not shown) provided on the bottom surface 205. Therefore, when the housing unit 20 covers the sensor 1, the amount of light the light-receiving units 23 receive from the outside is reduced. In other words, this housing unit 20 is an example of a housing unit that has a window that allows the light of the indicator lamp to be seen from the outside, and reduces the amount of light that the multiple light-receiving units receive from the outside when the sensor is covered.

[0049] The donut-shaped plate described above has a cylindrical member (referred to as the cylindrical member) extending in the +z direction from the edge of the inner hole. The rib 202 shown in Figure 6 extends in the +z direction from the bottom surface 205 along the inner circumferential surface of this cylindrical member within the internal space of the housing 20. Multiple ribs 202 are provided in this embodiment, and all are evenly distributed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member. These ribs 202 increase the strength of the bottom surface 205 in the z-axis direction.

[0050] The nozzle inlet 203 is a hole provided at the upper end of the supply unit 26 shown in Figure 1 for receiving the nozzle that sprays smoke. When the nozzle described above is received, the nozzle inlet 203 is in tight contact with the supply unit 26 without any gaps, so when the housing unit 20 is in close contact with the ceiling C, the smoke sprayed from the nozzle is supplied to the inside of the housing unit 20 and does not leak to the outside.

[0051] Here, we will describe the region A within the internal space of the housing 20 that can face the indicator light 13 of the sensor 1 when the housing 20 covers the sensor 1. Figure 7 shows an example of region A. In Figure 7, the positions of the housing 10 of the sensor 1, the indicator light 13, and the sensor 14 are shown by dashed lines.

[0052] When the worker places the tester 2 directly below the sensor 1 shown in Figure 7 and presses its upper surface against the ceiling C, the housing 20 of the tester 2 lies on an axis parallel to the z-axis passing through point O. As long as (that is, as long as the central axes of sensor 1 and test device 2 roughly coincide), sensor 1 can be accommodated. Therefore, sensor 1 can be accommodated regardless of the angle of rotation of the housing section 20 at any angle of 360 degrees around the aforementioned "axis parallel to the z-axis passing through point O (also called the common axis)".

[0053] In this case, the area within the internal space of the housing 20 that can face the indicator lights 13 located at two locations on the test device 2 is the donut-shaped area A shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 6, the eight light-receiving units 23 in the test device 2 are located in area A shown in Figure 7 within the internal space of the housing 20. In other words, these light-receiving units 23 are examples of multiple light-receiving units that are positioned within the housing that can face the indicator lights when the housing covers the sensor, that is, when the test device 2 is pointed towards the sensor 1, and each outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the light it receives. This allows the sensor 1 to be housed without having to worry about the position of the light-receiving units 23 of the test device 2.

[0054] Furthermore, it is desirable that the multiple light-receiving units 23 in the tester 2 be arranged at predetermined intervals in the region A described above. For example, in Figure 6, eight light-receiving units 23 are provided in region A, and among these, adjacent light-receiving units 23 are all arranged at equal intervals of 45 degrees on the xy plane around the common axis described above. With such an arrangement, the multiple light-receiving units 23 are more likely to receive light from the indicator light 13 compared to when they are arranged unevenly. In other words, these multiple light-receiving units 23 are examples of light-receiving units arranged at predetermined intervals within a region that can face the indicator light provided in the tester.

[0055] Furthermore, when the multiple light receiving units 23 receive light from the indicator light 13, one or more of them must output a signal to the processor 21 corresponding to the intensity of that light. The processor 21 can then determine whether the sensor 1 is functioning correctly based on the test information indicated by the signals output by at least one of the multiple light receiving units 23.

[0056] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the distance from the indicator light 13 to the light receiving unit 23. When multiple light receiving units 23a, 23b, and 23c (simply referred to as "light receiving unit 23" when not distinguished) are arranged facing the indicator light 13 as shown in Figure 8(a), the light receiving unit 23 closest to the indicator light 13 is the light receiving unit 23b, which is located directly below the indicator light 13. Therefore, the light received by the light receiving unit 23b from the indicator light 13 is stronger than that received by the light receiving units 23a and 23c. In this case, the multiple light receiving units 23 may, for example, output a signal to the processor 21 from only the light receiving unit 23b that receives the strongest light from the indicator light 13, and not output signals from the other light receiving units 23a and 23c, or all of the multiple light receiving units 23 may output signals to the processor 21. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(b), none of the light-receiving units 23 are located directly below the indicator light 13, and the light-receiving units 23a and 23c are located at the same distance from the indicator light 13. In this case, the light-receiving unit 23 closest to the indicator light 13 is not uniquely determined. In this case as well, the multiple light-receiving units 23 may, for example, output a signal to the processor 21 from only two or more light-receiving units 23 (light-receiving units 23a and c in the above example) that received the strongest light from all the light-receiving units 23 that received light from the indicator light 13, and not output a signal from the other light-receiving units 23 (not shown), or all of the multiple light-receiving units 23 may output a signal to the processor 21. Thus, various patterns of position for the light-receiving units 23 are conceivable, including the patterns described above, and the multiple light-receiving units 23 can output a signal using any of the methods described above.

[0057] Furthermore, the light receiving units 23 do not necessarily have to be arranged at predetermined intervals within an area that can face the indicator lights provided on the test apparatus. For example, the housing unit 20 of the test apparatus 2 in the above-described embodiment was configured to accommodate the sensor 1 regardless of the angle of rotation of 360 degrees around the common axis, but it is not limited to this. Inside the test apparatus 2, the rotation angle around the common axis A component may be positioned to collide with a part of the sensor 1. In this case, the range of rotation angles that the test device 2 can take relative to the sensor 1 may be less than 360 degrees in order to prevent this component from colliding with the sensor 1.

[0058] [Window arrangement in the test apparatus] Figure 9 shows an example of the test apparatus 2 with the sensor 1 covered by the housing 20. Figure 9 also shows a cross-sectional view of the test apparatus 2 with the sensor 1 covered, cut by a plane parallel to the yz plane. As shown in Figure 9, the light receiving unit 23 is positioned to face the indicator light 13. The window 201 is located below the light receiving unit 23, i.e., on the bottom surface 205 in the -z direction.

[0059] Figure 10 shows an example of the light-receiving range of the light-receiving unit 23. The light-receiving unit 23 has a light-receiving element positioned in the center of an end face that faces upward (i.e., in the +z direction). For example, since this end face is concave in the -z direction, the range in which the light-receiving element can receive light (referred to as the light-receiving range) is limited to range R. This range R does not include, for example, anything below the light-receiving element.

[0060] On the other hand, window 201 is located below the light-receiving unit 23, which has the aforementioned light-receiving element, that is, outside the light-receiving range of the light-receiving unit 23. Due to this arrangement, window 201 transmits light from the indicator light 13 to the outside, but does not allow light transmitted from the outside to the inside to reach the light-receiving unit 23. In other words, window 201 is an example of a window provided outside the light-receiving range of multiple light-receiving units.

[0061] Figure 11 shows an example of the appearance of window 201. As shown in Figure 11, window 201 is located on the bottom surface 205. This allows the worker to see the housing section 20 of the test apparatus 2 from below and confirm the light leaking from the part of window 201 that is not obstructed by the connecting section 24, etc.

[0062] [Functional configuration of the testing device] Figure 12 shows an example of the functional configuration of the test device 2. The processor 21 of the test device 2 functions as an acquisition unit 211 and a determination unit 212 by executing a program stored in the memory 22. The processor 21 may also function as an instruction unit 213.

[0063] The light receiving unit 23 receives light from the indicator light 13 of the detector 1. In other words, this light receiving unit 23 is an example of a light receiving unit that receives light from a detector equipped with an indicator light that lights up when a fire is detected and a fire alarm is triggered. In monitoring mode, when the sensor detects an object, it lights up the indicator light to indicate that the detector 1 has been activated, and also transmits test information, which includes the identification information of the device itself, by encoding it in the flashing pattern of the indicator light.

[0064] When the light receiving unit 23 receives the light described above, it generates a signal corresponding to the blinking pattern of the received light and supplies it to the processor 21. This signal is the transmission-path encoded signal described above and is supplied, for example, as a serial signal.

[0065] The acquisition unit 211 acquires the above-mentioned test information by decoding the serial signal supplied by the light receiving unit 23. In other words, this acquisition unit 211 is an example of an acquisition unit that acquires test information related to the test of the sensor 1, including identification information of the sensor 1, based on the flashing pattern of light received by the light receiving unit.

[0066] The determination unit 212 determines whether the sensor 1 is functioning correctly based on the test information acquired by the acquisition unit 211. In other words, this determination unit 212 is an example of a determination unit that determines whether the sensor is functioning correctly based on the test information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0067] As described above, among the multiple light receiving units 23, only at least one of the light receiving units 23 that receive light from the indicator light 13 may output a signal corresponding to the intensity of that light to the processor 21. In this case, the acquisition unit 211 acquires test information by decoding the serial signal output (supplied) by at least one of the multiple light receiving units 23. The determination unit 212 then determines whether the sensor 1 is normal or not based on this acquired test information. Alternatively, all of the multiple light receiving units 23 may each output a signal corresponding to the intensity of the light they received to the processor 21. In this case, the determination unit 212 may determine whether the sensor is normal or not based on multiple signals output from the light receiving units 23, or it may select one of the multiple signals and determine whether the sensor is normal or not based on that signal.

[0068] As described above, the supply unit 26 shown in Figure 12 supplies test smoke to the sensor 1. When a user operates the control device provided on the support rod 25 shown in Figure 1, the supply unit 26 releases smoke in response to this operation and reports this to the processor 21. Upon receiving this report, the determination unit 212 uses this as a trigger to monitor the acquisition unit 211 from that point until a predetermined response period (also called the response period) has elapsed.

[0069] Based on the monitoring results from the acquisition unit 211, the determination unit 212 determines that the sensor 1 is not functioning normally, that is, it is malfunctioning, if it confirms that the light receiving unit 23 received light from the indicator light 13 during a period other than the response period described above.

[0070] On the other hand, the determination unit 212 determines that the detector 1 is normal if it confirms that the light receiving unit 23 has received light from the indicator light 13 within the response period described above, and that the other conditions have been met. In the above case, the determination unit 212 determines that the detector 1 is normal if the light receiving unit 23 receives light when the supply unit supplies smoke. In other words, this determination unit 212 is an example of a determination unit that determines that the detector is normal when the light receiving unit receives light from the indicator light when the supply unit supplies smoke. Other conditions may include, for example, conditions related to sensitivity information indicating the sensitivity of the detector, which is extracted from the test information acquired by the acquisition unit 211, or information defined by the fire threshold included in the test information of the detector.

[0071] Furthermore, the supply unit 26 and the transmission unit 28 reported the details corresponding to the operation to the processor 21, and the determination unit 212 treated this report as a trigger. However, these reports may also be made by an instruction unit that instructs the supply unit 26 or the transmission unit 28 to perform an operation.

[0072] For example, the processor 21 may function as an instruction unit 213, indicated by the dashed line in Figure 12. This instruction unit 213 may report to the determination unit 212 when it instructs the supply unit 26 to release smoke. It may also report to the determination unit 212 when it instructs the transmission unit 28 to transmit a test start signal. Upon receiving these reports, the determination unit 212 uses this as a trigger to monitor the acquisition unit 211 from that point until a predetermined response period (also called the response period) has elapsed.

[0073] In the present invention, the sensor 1 encodes test information 122 containing multiple types of information in a transmission line code and sequentially represents and outputs it as a serial signal by the blinking of the indicator light 13, so that the tester 2 having a light receiving unit 23 can acquire this test information 122. In this case, the sensor 1 transmits the test information 122 containing multiple values ​​using a transmission line code in which, for example, "1" represents being lit and "0" represents being off, so the tester 2 can acquire more diverse information per unit time compared to when the sensor 1 transmits a scalar value proportional to the blinking interval. Furthermore, since the tester 2 in the present invention uses light from the non-contact sensor 1, periodic operation checks can be performed without removing the sensor 1 from the mounting surface of the ceiling C, and the test work It can be easily done.

[0074] [Differentiation] The embodiments described above are just one specific example of the present invention and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Examples of such modifications are as follows. Two or more of the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0075] (1) In the embodiment described above, the sensor 14 was for detecting an object indicating a fire, but the detector 1 may have sensors for detecting other objects. For example, the sensor 14 may include a proximity sensor that detects when the tester 2 approaches within a predetermined distance.

[0076] The proximity sensor can detect when the test device 2 is within a predetermined distance, for example, by using a magnet, RFID (radio frequency identifier), or near-field communication (NFC). Alternatively, the proximity sensor may directly contact a member extending from the test device 2 and detect the force received from that member at the contact surface to detect when the test device 2 is within a predetermined distance.

[0077] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the detector test system 9 was provided with an indicator light 13 on the detector 1 and a receiving unit 15 on the tester 2. However, the detector 1 may also be provided with a light receiving unit and the tester 2 with a light emitting unit. In this case, the light receiving unit of the detector 1 only needs to receive the light emitted by the light emitting unit of the tester 2. Furthermore, the light emitting unit of the tester 2 may transmit information to the detector 1 by flashing light patterns. The detector 1 may, for example, start communication when the light receiving unit receives the light emitted by the light emitting unit of the tester 2 as a trigger. According to this modified example, the detector 1 and the tester 2 can communicate bidirectionally by exchanging light with each other.

[0078] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the tester 2 could accommodate the sensor 1 regardless of the angle by which the housing section 20 was rotated around a common axis within 360 degrees. However, the tester 2 may be configured to accommodate the sensor 1 only when the housing section 20 is rotated within a limited angle. For example, the tester 2 and the sensor 1 may have positioning members that determine their relative positions when they come into contact with each other. The tester 2 may be configured to accommodate the sensor 1 only when their relative positions are determined by these positioning members. The positioning member of the tester 2 may be, for example, the rib 202 described above.

[0079] (4) In the embodiments described above, the processor 21 was a CPU, but it may have other configurations. At least one of the processors 21 may be, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may include an FPGA. 21 is that at least one of them is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). ), or other programmable logic devices may be used for control.

[0080] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the housing 20 covers the detector 1, but the sensor 14 of the detector 1 is not limited to the smoke-sensing sensor of the embodiment, but may be a heat-sensing sensor such as a bimetal or a thermistor.

[0081] (6) In the embodiment described above, the tester 2 had a housing section 20 and a light receiving section 23, but it does not have to have these. In this case, the tester 2 may have an attachment equipped with the housing section 20 and light receiving section 23 described above. This equipment has a housing section that covers and houses a sensor that transmits test information related to the test by encoding it in the flashing pattern of an indicator light, and a plurality of light receiving sections that are arranged in an area within the housing section that can face the indicator light when the housing section covers the sensor, and each light receiving section outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the light it receives. This is an example of a test attachment for a sensor having a light-emitting element. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...Sensor, 10...Housing, 122...Test information, 13...Indicator light, 14...Sensor, 15...Receiver, 2(2a, 2b)...Tester, 20...Housing section, 201...Window, 202...Rib, 203...Nozzle inlet, 204...Surface, 205...Bottom, 21...Processor, 22...Memory, 23(23a, 23b, 23c)...Light receiving section, 24...Connecting section, 25...Support rod, 26...Supply section, U...Sensitivity test unit, 28...Transmitter, 3...Receiver, 9...Sensor test system.

Claims

1. A housing unit that covers and houses a sensor that transmits test information related to the test by encoding it through the flashing pattern of an indicator light, When the housing covers the sensor, a plurality of light receiving units are arranged within the housing in an area that can face the indicator light, and each unit outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the light it receives. A determination unit that determines whether the sensor is functioning normally based on the test information indicated by the signal output by at least one of the plurality of light receiving units, A testing device.

2. The determination unit determines whether the sensor is functioning correctly based on the test information, which is indicated by the sum of the signals output by the plurality of light receiving units. The testing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The light-receiving units are arranged at predetermined intervals within the region. The testing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The housing unit is equipped with a window that allows the light from the indicator lamp to be seen from the outside, and when the sensor is covered, it reduces the amount of light that the multiple light receiving units receive from the outside. The testing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The aforementioned window is located outside the light-receiving range of the plurality of light-receiving units. The testing apparatus according to claim 4.

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