Disaster prevention equipment and disaster prevention equipment search system

Abstract

To obtain fire prevention equipment and a fire prevention equipment search system that have a function to easily confirm the installation location when installed in various fire monitoring environments. [Solution] A fire prevention device installed in a fire monitoring area is equipped with a light display structure that emits light when power is received wirelessly from an external source. The fire prevention device search system comprises the fire prevention device according to this disclosure and a tester capable of wirelessly transmitting power to the fire prevention device using a wireless power transmitter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a disaster prevention device installed in a fire monitoring area and a disaster prevention device search system used when searching for the installation location of the disaster prevention device.

Background Art

[0002] There is a fire notification facility configured to include various disaster prevention devices such as a fire receiver, a transmitter, a repeater, an acoustic device, a fire detector, and a controlled device, and to protect people inside a building or the like that is a fire prevention target from a fire (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the fire notification facility, when a fire detector senses heat or smoke, a fire signal is transmitted to the fire receiver. The fire receiver that has received the fire signal issues an alarm, sounds the acoustic device, and notifies people inside the fire prevention target of the occurrence of the fire according to the location where the fire has occurred.

[0004] Furthermore, the fire receiver that has received the fire signal performs operation control of a plurality of controlled devices that function to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, etc., or to encourage evacuation, in conjunction with the sensing results of each of the plurality of fire detectors. Examples of the plurality of controlled devices include fire doors, fire dampers, bells, etc.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0006]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0007] Various disaster prevention devices, such as fire detectors, are sometimes required to harmonize with their installation environment so as not to disrupt the surrounding space. For example, disaster prevention devices installed in cultural heritage buildings such as shrines, temples, and old houses often feature black body colors, not only for disaster prevention purposes but also to enhance the aesthetic appeal and design of the installation environment.

[0008] Furthermore, residential fire alarms are one type of disaster prevention equipment, and even with such alarms, a black body color is sometimes adopted so that they blend in with the wallpaper and other elements of the installation environment. Disaster prevention equipment with a black body color does not have any problems with its original disaster prevention performance, and it can improve the aesthetics and design without detracting from the beauty of the installation environment.

[0009] However, when inspecting disaster prevention equipment, there is a problem in that the installation location of equipment with a black body color is difficult to see. Furthermore, this problem of visibility of the installation location during inspection is not limited to equipment with a black body color, but is a common problem for disaster prevention equipment that is installed in a way that does not detract from the aesthetics of the installation environment.

[0010] Therefore, from the perspective of improving the efficiency of inspection work, it is desirable to be able to easily confirm the installation location of disaster prevention equipment when conducting periodic inspections, etc.

[0011] This disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a fire prevention device and a fire prevention device search system that have a function to easily confirm the installation location when installed in various fire monitoring environments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The disaster prevention equipment related to this disclosure is a disaster prevention device installed in a fire monitoring area and is equipped with a light display structure that emits light when power is received wirelessly from an external source.

[0013] Furthermore, the disaster prevention equipment search system relating to this disclosure comprises the disaster prevention equipment relating to this disclosure and a tester that has a power transmitter for wirelessly transmitting power and is capable of wirelessly transmitting power to the disaster prevention equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to this disclosure, it is possible to obtain fire prevention equipment and a fire prevention equipment search system that have a function to easily confirm the installation location when installed in various fire monitoring environments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a functional block diagram of the disaster prevention equipment according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of the disaster prevention equipment search system according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for identifying the installation location of a fire detector installed at a high place using the disaster prevention equipment search system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the disaster prevention equipment and disaster prevention equipment search system of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The disaster prevention equipment and disaster prevention equipment search system disclosed herein are characterized by the inclusion of a light display structure in the disaster prevention equipment that emits light when power is received wirelessly transmitted. This technical feature makes it possible to easily locate the disaster prevention equipment even in various installation environments, such as cultural heritage buildings, tunnels, high ceilings, and at night.

[0017] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a disaster prevention device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The disaster prevention device 1 according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to include an optical display structure 10. Note that the disaster prevention device 1 in the present disclosure includes various devices such as a fire detector, a sprinkler, an acoustic device, and a camera installed in a fire monitoring area.

[0018] The optical display structure 10 is a structure for realizing a function of emitting light by receiving power wirelessly transmitted from the outside. Hereinafter, the "power wirelessly transmitted" will be referred to as "wireless power" for explanation.

[0019] The optical display structure 10 can be configured as a structure that emits light spontaneously by a voltage generated by receiving wireless power. In this case, it is possible to attach the optical display structure 10 to the housing of the disaster prevention device.

[0020] Also, as the optical display structure 10, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, it can also be configured by a "power receiver", a "control unit", and an "indicator light". In this case, if the disaster prevention device 1 is equipped with a "control unit" and an "indicator light" as a standard configuration, it is possible to add a "power receiver" and improve the standard configuration to make it compatible.

[0021] Furthermore, the optical display structure, which is a technical feature of the disaster prevention device according to the present disclosure, aims to improve the visibility for easily finding disaster prevention devices that are difficult to find in the installation environment. Therefore, the optical display structure can be provided not only on the surface of the main body of the disaster prevention device, but also on the base installed on the ceiling or wall for attaching the main body of the disaster prevention device. That is, there are no particular restrictions on the configuration, arrangement, etc. of the optical display structure as long as it can realize light emission visible from the outside.

[0022] Next, regarding the disaster prevention device and the disaster prevention device search system according to Embodiment 1, a case where a fire detector is used as the disaster prevention device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 as a specific example.

[0023] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of a disaster prevention equipment search system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. The disaster prevention equipment search system according to Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 2 is configured to include a fire detector 1, which is an example of disaster prevention equipment, and a tester 20.

[0024] The light display structure 10 of the fire detector 1 is composed of a power receiver 11, a control unit 12, and an indicator light 13.

[0025] The power receiver 11 has the function of receiving wireless power. The control unit 12 performs the illumination operation associated with the reception of wireless power by controlling the illumination of the indicator light 13 according to the power received by the power receiver 11.

[0026] Here, the indicator light 13 can be the same as the indicator light that comes standard with the fire detector 1, which is used to light up in the event of a fire or to check operation. Also, the control unit 12 can be the same as the controller that comes standard with the fire detector 1, and it is conceivable that the indicator light will be controlled to light up in a specific pattern in response to the reception of wireless power.

[0027] Here, a specific light emission pattern means using a different color and a different illumination / flashing pattern than the pattern originally used for the indicator light in fire detector 1.

[0028] On the other hand, the tester 20 is composed of a power transmitter 21, a control unit 22, and an operating unit 23.

[0029] The transmitter 21 is equipped with the function of transmitting wireless power. As one example of a method for transmitting wireless power, the transmitter 21 can employ microwave power supply. By employing microwave power supply, wireless power supply can be achieved over distances of several meters to 10 meters, and a maximum of several watts of power can be supplied to a distance of several meters.

[0030] The control unit 23 is equipped with a function to receive commands to transmit wireless power when it is desired to search for the installation location of the fire detector 1. The control unit 22 controls the transmitter 21 and transmits wireless power based on the operation commands from the control unit 23.

[0031] Therefore, the operator can transmit wireless power from the transmitter 21 by operating the control unit 23 at the desired timing, and the installation location of the fire detector 1 can be easily identified by visually confirming the location that lights up in response to the wireless power.

[0032] Next, we will explain the specific procedure for locating the installation location of fire detector 1, which is installed at a high place, using the disaster prevention equipment search system shown in Figure 2, with reference to Figure 3.

[0033] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for identifying the installation location of a fire detector 1 installed at a high place using the disaster prevention equipment search system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a case in which two fire detectors 1(1) and 1(2), whose installation locations are to be confirmed, are installed on the ceiling surface 101 at a high place.

[0034] For example, if two fire detectors 1(1) and 1(2) are black in color for aesthetic reasons, it may be difficult for a tester 102 on the ground to easily determine the exact location of each fire detector 1(1) and 1(2) on the high ceiling surface 101.

[0035] Therefore, if the tester 102 wants to locate the installation locations of the fire detectors 1(1) and 1(2) arranged as shown in Figure 3 from the ground, he will sequentially perform the following steps using the disaster prevention equipment locator system according to this embodiment 1.

[0036] In the following explanation, the installation locations of fire detectors 1(1) and 1(2) will be checked in that order. Furthermore, the operator, tester 102, will be able to transmit wireless power in the desired direction by operating the test device 20 while pointing it in the desired direction.

[0037] <Procedure 1: Perform the operation to locate the installation location of fire detector 1(1)> After moving to the area where the fire detector 1(1) is thought to be installed, the tester 102 operates the tester 20 pointed in the desired direction to transmit radio power in the desired direction to search for the fire detector 1(1).

[0038] Since the fire detector 1(1) will illuminate when it receives wireless power, the tester 102 can identify the installation location of the fire detector 1(1) by checking the location of the illumination. On the other hand, if the illumination cannot be confirmed, the tester 102 will either move his own position or change the orientation of the tester 20 to change the direction of wireless power transmission and identify the location where the fire detector will illuminate.

[0039] In this way, the tester 102 can easily determine from the ground where the fire detector 1(1) is installed on the high ceiling surface 101 by visually observing its illumination state.

[0040] <Step 2: Perform the operation to locate the installation location of fire detector 1(2)> After moving to the area where the fire detector 1(2) is thought to be installed, the tester 102 performs the same series of procedures as in step 1. As a result, by visually observing the illumination status, the tester 102 can easily identify from the ground the exact location on the high ceiling surface 101 where the fire detector 1(2) is installed.

[0041] Furthermore, due to factors such as the direction of wireless power transmission and the installation locations of multiple fire detectors, it is possible that two fire detectors 1 that have received wireless power may illuminate while one fire detector 1 is being searched for. To address this problem, it is conceivable to provide the control unit 12 within the fire detector 1 with the following additional functions.

[0042] Specifically, it is conceivable to provide the control unit 12 with an additional function that allows it to control the illumination of the indicator light 13 with a brightness corresponding to the amount of power received by the power receiver 11. By having such an additional function, the control unit 12 can perform illumination control so that the more power received, the brighter the light becomes.

[0043] As a result, tester 102 can easily identify the nearest fire detector from his position on the ground based on the brightness of its light emission, and at the same time, he can also roughly confirm the installation locations of other fire detectors.

[0044] Furthermore, the test device 20 is not limited to a configuration in which the transmitter 21, control unit 22, and operating unit 23 are integrated and held and used by the tester 102. For example, it is also possible to configure the test device 20 so that the transmitter 21 is located at the tip end of the support rod, and the operating unit 23 is located at the other end of the support rod held by the tester, allowing wireless power to be transmitted from the tip end of the support rod by operating from the other end of the support rod.

[0045] By adopting this configuration, wireless power can be supplied to the fire detector 1 at a location closer to it. As a result, even if the fire detector 1 is installed at a high place where microwave power cannot reach from the ground, for example, by using a support rod, it becomes possible to create a situation where microwave power can reach the fire detector 1, thereby expanding the scope of application of the disaster prevention equipment search system according to this embodiment 1.

[0046] Furthermore, when using a tester 20 that employs an extendable support rod, thereby allowing the distance L between the transmitter 21 and the operating unit 23 to be varied, it is possible to configure the device so that wireless power is not transmitted unless the distance L exceeds the allowable distance.

[0047] Specifically, by installing a distance sensor, a motion sensor, etc., on the tip of the support rod, the distance L between the power transmitter 21 and the operation unit 23 can be measured. With this configuration, if the measured distance L exceeds a preset allowable distance, the control unit 22 can accept an operation input from the operation unit 23 and control the transmission of wireless power based on the operator's input.

[0048] By implementing this type of control, it becomes possible to suppress the impact of transmitted wireless power on the operator and to prevent an increase in power consumption.

[0049] As described above, according to Embodiment 1, by equipping the disaster prevention equipment with a light display structure that emits light when powered by wireless energy, the location of the light emission can be confirmed by the transmission of wireless energy, and the installation location of the disaster prevention equipment can be easily identified.

[0050] In particular, by employing a transmitter capable of microwave power transmission as wireless power, it becomes possible to identify the installation location based on the light emission status, provided the distance between the test device and the disaster prevention equipment is within a range of a few meters to 10 meters.

[0051] Therefore, it is possible to realize disaster prevention equipment and a disaster prevention equipment search system that can easily identify the installation location of disaster prevention equipment even in various installation environments such as cultural heritage buildings, tunnels, high ceilings, and at night. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Fire prevention equipment (fire detector), 10. Light display structure, 11. Power receiver, 12. Control unit, 13. Indicator light, 20. Tester, 21. Power transmitter, 22. Control unit, 23. Operation unit.

Claims

1. Fire prevention equipment installed in a fire monitoring area, A light display structure that emits light by receiving power wirelessly transmitted from an external source. Disaster prevention equipment equipped with these features.

2. The aforementioned optical display structure is Indicator light and, A power receiver that receives the aforementioned power, The power receiver is a control unit that performs lighting control of the indicator light in accordance with the power it receives. The disaster prevention device according to claim 1, comprising:

3. The control unit performs the illumination control of the indicator light with a brightness corresponding to the amount of power received by the power receiver. The disaster prevention device according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned indicator light is a standard feature that illuminates in the event of a fire. The disaster prevention device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A disaster prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A test device having a power transmitter that transmits power wirelessly, and capable of wirelessly transmitting the power to the disaster prevention equipment. A disaster prevention equipment search system equipped with the following features.

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